Employees work at the newsroom of Geo News television channel in Karachi. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Pakistan’s electronic media watchdog suspended a private television channel for 15 days over the airing of controversial sectarian content.
The Geo News channel allegedly showed certain Shiite rituals during the Ashura broadcast on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram.
Also Read: In Pakistan, crackdown on media comes in many forms
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Saturday (June 27, 2026) suspended with “immediate effect” Geo News’ licence for 15 days, saying the channel was “liable to hurt the religious sentiments of viewers”.
The order, citing the authority’s monitoring wing, said that the broadcast of Geo News’ special transmission “constitutes a serious regulatory concern” due to religious, cultural and social sensitivities.
PEMRA noted that the matter was “also inconsistent” with its earlier directive.
As per the order, the Geo News transmission will remain suspended on satellite and all distribution networks and platforms for the period, with all distribution service licensees and operators directed to ensure immediate compliance.
Additionally, PEMRA referred the matter to its Council of Complaints for “examination, hearing and furnishing of appropriate recommendations, including consideration of further regulatory action, if so warranted under law”.
PEMRA also directed Geo News to conduct an internal inquiry into the editorial, monitoring and compliance lapses leading to the broadcasting of the content, and to submit its recommendations to the Council, along with details of corrective and preventative measures during a hearing.
Geo News, in a statement, acknowledged its mistake in airing content which depicted certain rituals adopted by a “limited number of people in Iraq and some other West Asian countries”.
“This content was neither produced by Geo News nor was its broadcast carried out with any intention or purpose,” it stated, adding: “We wish to clarify that Geo News remains firmly committed to its policy of respecting the widely accepted beliefs and sensitivities of the Muslim Ummah. The inclusion of such content does not reflect our editorial position or the ideology of the organisation.” It said that the relevant content was removed immediately, and the organisation promptly took action against the individuals involved. It added that clarifications and an apology had been broadcast before the public response to the statement.
“We express regret for any distress caused and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the highest standards of religious respect,” it stated.
Published – June 29, 2026 05:59 pm IST
