The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has asked the Islamic Ideology Council for guidance on Geo News controversial broadcast.
In the official letter sent to the Council, PEMRA has requested guidance on whether the public apology by the channel and the license suspension are enough as a punishment, or whether there may be further actions taken in light of Islamic teachings.
PEMRA has also provided a period of seven days for the answer by the Council.
The electronic media regulatory authority consulted the Council due to the religious sentiments of the public involved in the scenario, as Geo News, in its special Muharram ul Haram transmission, Safar-e-Ishq, aired a visual representation of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) and his companions.
This created aggressive behaviour among the public, as the public and Ulemas considered it a serious regulatory violation.
PEMRA immediately responded to the matter and suspended the license of Geo News for 15 days on June 27, 2026.
PEMRA Monitoring Wing stated that the controversial broadcast by the channel was nothing but a matter of religious, cultural and social sensitivity, and that it has hurt the religious sentiments of the viewers.
The department added that the controversial broadcast of Geo News was 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.
The complaint cell of PEMRA, in its letter to the Islamic Ideology Council, argued that due to its nature of being a religious sentiment, the matter has also been referred to the Council for taking action against the channel in the light of Islamic teachings.
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