ISLAMABAD — Geo News was permitted to resume broadcasting on Sunday, following a 15‑day suspension imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) due to a regulatory breach.
On Saturday, Pemra reaffirmed its previous 15‑day suspension of Geo News, citing the improper portrayal of religious figures during a Muharram 10 broadcast and warning that any further infringement could result in licence revocation.
With the suspension concluding on Saturday, Geo News restarted its transmission shortly after midnight on Sunday.
In its concluding order, released after the authority’s 191st meeting, Pemra disclosed that it had performed a thorough review, factoring in the Council of Complaints’ recommendations from Lahore, the procedural record, the licence holder’s written and oral submissions, the Pemra Ordinance 2002, applicable statutes, and the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct (2015).
The Council of Complaints examined the case during its 127th, 128th, and 129th sessions on June 30, July 2, and July 10, respectively.
Following hearings with Geo News representatives, review of the record, and consideration of the Council of Islamic Ideology’s opinion, the Council forwarded its recommendations to the authority.
Pemra affirmed that Geo News and its representatives were afforded a fair chance to present their defence prior to the final ruling.
The authority determined that the breach was grave and constituted a violation of licence obligations under Pemra regulations and the standards of responsible broadcasting.
Although Geo News admitted negligence, expressed remorse, and issued an unconditional apology across all its platforms, Pemra noted that these mitigating actions did not nullify the breach or its legal ramifications.
The order confirmed the June 27 decision to suspend the channel’s licence for 15 days.
The suspension remains in effect until midnight today; transmissions may resume only after the period ends and the channel settles the Rs10 million penalty imposed by the regulator.
Pemra also instructed Geo News management to finalize disciplinary proceedings against those responsible for the lapse and terminate them in accordance with applicable regulations.
Additionally, the authority ruled that any individuals dismissed through these proceedings would be barred from working, directly or indirectly, with any media entity licensed, registered, or authorised by Pemra.
The authority issued a final warning to Geo News, stating that any recurrence of such negligence will result in the cancellation of its broadcasting licence.
Moreover, Pemra mandated Geo News and all other licence holders to establish impartial, competent in‑house monitoring committees or editorial boards, submit relevant details to the regulator, and ensure prior editorial scrutiny of all broadcast material.
The authority also announced that a separate directive will be issued to all licence holders, mandating strict compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment in Suo Motu Case No. 28 of 2018 (PLD 2019 SC 1).
Pemra cautioned that any future broadcaster violations will prompt stricter legal action.
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