ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) announced on Saturday that it has suspended the license and transmission of Geo News for 15 days following a Muharram program containing content described as “religious visualization” that it deemed likely to offend viewers’ religious sentiments.
PEMRA stated in its notice that the channel aired a program titled “Safar-e-Ishq” during its Muharram 10 special broadcast, which included visual representations raising regulatory concerns. The authority emphasized that such content risks undermining religious harmony and poses a threat to public order and social stability.
“The license issued to M/s Independent Media Corporation (Pvt.) Ltd. for ‘Geo News’ is suspended for a period of fifteen (15) days, effective immediately,” the notice issued on June 27 read. The suspension applies to all satellite and distribution platforms, with PEMRA directing service providers to enforce compliance.
The regulator has referred the matter to its Council of Complaints for further review and potential additional actions. Geo News has been instructed to conduct an internal inquiry into the editorial, monitoring, and compliance failures related to the broadcast and submit a detailed report with proposed corrective measures to the Council.
Religious matters remain highly sensitive in Pakistan, where media oversight bodies frequently intervene in programs addressing faith-related topics to prevent societal discord. Geo News, one of the country’s leading private Urdu news channels with over two decades of operation, has historically covered major national events including elections, political instability, and disasters.