ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has suspended the licence of Geo News for 15 days with immediate effect over the broadcast of religious visualisation during a special Muharram transmission, saying the content could hurt religious sentiments and disturb public harmony.
According to an official order issued on June 27, 2026, PEMRA said its Monitoring Wing reviewed Geo News’ special Muharram 10 programme titled Safar-e-Ishq, which aired on June 26. The regulator said the programme included religious visual representation that, considering the religious, cultural and social sensitivities surrounding Muharram, raised serious regulatory concerns.
PEMRA stated that the broadcast was, at first glance, capable of hurting the religious sentiments of viewers, undermining religious harmony, violating accepted standards of editorial responsibility and creating a risk to public peace, tranquillity and law and order.
The authority further stated that Geo News and its in-house monitoring committee were expected to exercise greater editorial judgment and caution while airing religious content. It said the broadcast appeared to be inconsistent with provisions of the PEMRA Ordinance, the PEMRA Rules, the Television Broadcast Station Operations Regulations and the Electronic Media Code of Conduct. The regulator also referred to its directive issued on June 15 regarding the observance of the sanctity of Muharram-ul-Haram.
Under the order, Geo News’ licence has been suspended for 15 days with immediate effect. The channel’s transmission will remain suspended on satellite and all distribution networks during this period, while cable operators and other distribution service providers have been directed to implement the order without delay.
PEMRA has also referred the case to its Council of Complaints for a detailed review. The council will examine the matter and recommend whether any additional regulatory action should be taken under the law.
The regulator has directed Geo News to carry out an internal inquiry into the editorial and compliance lapses that resulted in the broadcast. The channel has been asked to present the inquiry report, along with the corrective and preventive measures it plans to implement, before the Council of Complaints during the hearing.
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PEMRA said the suspension order does not rule out any further action under the applicable laws. It added that the broadcaster will continue to have access to all legal remedies available under the existing legal framework.
Geo News expresses regret over controversial broadcast
Meanwhile, Geo News also issued a statement on-air after the controversy. At the beginning of the broadcast, the anchor acknowledged that the channel had made a mistake in airing the programme.
Referring to Safar-e-Ishq, which was broadcast on 10 Muharram, the channel said the film showed certain rituals practised by a limited number of people in Iraq and some other Middle Eastern countries. It said the documentary was intended only to depict those local customs and was not meant to represent, endorse or promote any broader religious viewpoint.
Geo News said it remains firmly committed to respecting the widely accepted beliefs and religious sensitivities of the Muslim Ummah, adding that the programme did not reflect the organisation’s editorial policy or religious position. The channel said the content was removed immediately after the issue came to light and that action had been taken against those responsible for the broadcast.
The broadcaster also expressed regret over any hurt or distress caused by the programme and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the highest standards of religious respect in its editorial content.
