PAKISTAN’S media regulator banned broadcasts of former prime minister Imran Khan’s speeches today after police arrived at one of his homes to deliver another court summons for the ousted premier.

The development is the latest in a political tug of war between the former cricket star turned Islamist politician and the government of his successor, Shahbaz Sharif, as Mr Khan continues his campaign for early elections.

The ban followed a particularly fiery speech by Mr Khan lambasting Mr Sharif’s government and the country’s military.

Fawad Chaudhry, a leader in Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, told reporters that the measure reflects the government’s nervousness and fear that Mr Khan's party would win the upcoming elections in two provincial assemblies.

The media regulator said Mr Khan was spreading hate “against state institutions and officers, which is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order.”

The development came hours after police arrived at Mr Khan’s home in the city of Lahore with an arrest warrant on suspicion that he avoided appearing in court on charges of unlawfully selling state gifts he had received as PM and hiding assets from the election tribunal.

However, the police were told by Mr Khan’s aides that he was at his other home in the capital Islamabad.  After the officers left, Mr Khan appeared outside the residence and delivered the speech cited for the ban. He spoke before cameras, accusing an unnamed army general of spearheading arrests of his party leaders in recent months.

Mr Khan has faced a string of charges from Mr Sharif’s government, with several lawsuits launched against him. He has denied any wrongdoing and accuses Mr Sharif’s government of conspiring with the United States for his removal from office. 

Washington and Mr Sharif have denied the allegations.