ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Council of Complaints Lahore has referred a complaint against Geo News to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for its opinion regarding the depiction of holy figures in a Muharram broadcast.
The matter was discussed during a meeting of the PEMRA Council of Complaints held in Lahore on June 30. The meeting reviewed a case referred by the PEMRA Authority concerning content aired by Geo News on the 10th of Muharram.
The Council of Complaints decided to seek the opinion of the Council of Islamic Ideology on the matter before submitting the PEMRA Authority’s proposals.
The Council raised the question whether the suspension of the license by PEMRA and the apology and measures offered by Geo News are sufficient in this matter or further action is required.
The Council of Islamic Ideology has been requested to inform the Council of Complaints about its opinion within a week in the light of Islamic teachings and injunctions.
During the meeting, the Executive Director of Geo News appeared along with his lawyers. He informed the Council about the steps taken by the organization and also requested that the license suspension be lifted.
In view of the sensitivity of the issue related to religious sentiments and in the light of Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the PEMRA Council of Complaints decided to seek formal guidance from the Council of Islamic Ideology.
According to Article 19, every citizen has the right to freedom of expression and opinion, and the press is also given freedom, however, this freedom is subject to such reasonable restrictions as are necessary in the interest of the greatness of Islam and other constitutional requirements.
In this context, the Council of Complaints has sought guidance from the Council of Islamic Ideology as to whether the order to suspend the broadcasts already in progress in the case of Geo News, the public apology offered by the institution, and the steps taken so far can be considered a proper and sufficient response or not.
If these steps are insufficient, guidance should also be provided on the extent to which further action would be appropriate in the light of Islamic teachings and injunctions.
The Council of Islamic Ideology has been requested to send its opinion to the Council of Complaints within 7 days, i.e., by 8 July 2026.
