Pakistan’s media regulator has suspended Geo News license for 15 days. PEMRA issued the order on June 27, 2026, with immediate effect. The action targets a Muharram broadcast the regulator deemed a serious violation.
The PEMRA Monitoring Wing flagged the content on June 26. It reported that Geo News aired a program titled Safar-e-Ishq during special Muharram 10 transmission. The program showed what the order describes as religious visualization. PEMRA called the broadcast a serious regulatory concern given religious and cultural sensitivities.
The regulator argued the content carried real risks. It said the visual representation was liable to hurt religious sentiments of viewers. It also claimed the content could undermine religious harmony and threaten public peace. The order cites risks to tranquility and law and order.
PEMRA invoked Section 30 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 for the suspension. It said the broadcast breached multiple provisions across PEMRA rules and codes. The order also cited an Authority directive from June 15 on observing the sanctity of Muharram. The licensee was required to exercise heightened editorial caution while airing religious content.
As per orders, Geo News transmission must stay suspended on satellite and all distribution platforms. Distribution licensees and operators must ensure immediate compliance. The matter goes to the Council of Complaints for hearing and further recommendations.
PEMRA also directed Geo News to run an internal inquiry. The channel must examine the editorial and compliance lapse behind the broadcast. It must submit findings and corrective measures to the Council during the hearing.
The order, signed by Director Operations Umair Azim, issued with Authority Committee approval. It noted the action does not prejudice further proceedings or the licensee’s legal remedies.
PEMRA has suspended Geo News on several occasions before, including a 15-day suspension in June 2014 over a defence ministry complaint and repeated show-cause notices and fines in the years since.
