Geo News resumed its transmission shortly after midnight on Sunday after completing a 15-day suspension imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) over a regulatory violation related to its Muharram 10 broadcast.
On Saturday, PEMRA upheld its earlier decision to suspend the channel, stating that the broadcast included the depiction of religious figures, which violated the country’s broadcasting regulations. The authority also warned that any similar violation in the future could result in the cancellation of the channel’s broadcasting licence.
The suspension officially ended on Saturday night, allowing Geo News to resume its regular transmission after the completion of the penalty period.
In its final decision, issued following the regulator’s 191st meeting, PEMRA said it conducted a comprehensive review of the case. The authority considered the recommendations of the Council of Complaints, Lahore, along with written and verbal submissions from the channel, the PEMRA Ordinance 2002, relevant regulations, and the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015.
The Council of Complaints reviewed the matter during meetings held on June 30, July 2, and July 10. After hearing the channel’s representatives and considering the opinion of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), it submitted its recommendations to PEMRA.
According to the regulator, Geo News was provided with a full opportunity to present its defence before the final decision was announced. PEMRA concluded that the violation was serious and inconsistent with the responsibilities of a licensed broadcaster.
Although the authority acknowledged that the channel admitted its mistake, expressed regret, and issued an unconditional public apology across its platforms, it said these actions did not remove the legal consequences of the violation.
PEMRA also directed Geo News to complete disciplinary proceedings against those responsible for the lapse and remove them from service according to the applicable rules. It further ruled that dismissed individuals would not be permitted to work with any PEMRA-licensed media organisation.
The regulator instructed Geo News and all licensed broadcasters to establish independent editorial monitoring committees to review content before transmission. It also announced that all television channels must strictly comply with the Supreme Court’s judgment in Suo Motu Case No. 28 of 2018, warning that future violations could result in even stricter legal action.
Also Read: Geo News Licence Suspended After Muharram Special Transmission
