ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has suspended the licence of Geo News over hurting ‘religious sentiments of viewers’.
According to a PEMRA order, the suspension was declared under Section 30 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 and the TV Channel will be off aired Immediately.
The PEMRA order said that PEMRA Monitoring Wing, on 26 June, 2026, reported that “Geo News,” operated by M/s Independent Media Corporation (Pvt.) Ltd., during its special transmission for Muharram 10, aired a programme titled “Safar-e-Ishq,” wherein religious visualization was shown.
“The broadcast of such visual representation, given the religious, cultural and social sensitivities, constitutes a serious regulatory concern. Prima facie, the said content was liable to hurt the religious sentiments of viewers, undermine religious harmony, offend commonly accepted standards of responsibility and due care, and create a risk of disturbance to public peace, tranquility, and law & order.”
The licensee, including its In-House Monitoring Committee, was required to exercise requisite / heightened editorial judgment, caution and control while airing religious content, the order said further.
“The airing of the aforesaid content, therefore, is inconsistent with the obligations of a PEMRA licensee under Section 20(b), (c), (d) and (f) of the PEMRA Ordinance, 2002, as amended, read with Rule 15(1) of the PEMRA Rules, 2009, Regulation 18(1)(c) and (g) of the PEMRA (Television Broadcast Station Operations) Regulations, 2012, and Clauses 3(1)(a) and (d), 4(10), 5, 10(1) and 17 of the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015.”
PEMRA held that the matter was also inconsistent with the Authority’s directive dated 15 June, 2026, regarding “Observance of Sanctity of the Holy Month of Muharram-ul-Haram.”
“Now, therefore, in exercise of powers conferred under Section 30 of the PEMRA Ordinance, 2002, as amended, read with all other enabling provisions of law, the Authority Committee hereby orders as follows: The licence issued to M/s Independent Media Corporation (Pvt.) Ltd. for “Geo News” is suspended for a period of fifteen (15) days, with immediate effect from the issuance of this order”.
The order said the transmission of “Geo News” shall remain suspended on satellite and all distribution networks/platforms for the said period.
“All concerned distribution service licensees/operators are directed to ensure immediate compliance with this order.
The matter has been referred to the Council of Complaints for examination, hearing and furnishing of appropriate recommendations, including consideration of further regulatory action, if so warranted under law.
Geo News also directed to conduct internal inquiry
Geo News administration has been directed to conduct an internal inquiry into the editorial, monitoring and compliance lapse leading to the broadcast of the subject content, and submit its findings to the Council of Complaints, along with details of corrective and preventive measures, during the hearing.
