Geo News resumed broadcasting after serving its suspension, while PEMRA upheld a Rs10 million fine and introduced stricter editorial compliance measures following its ruling on the controversial Muharram documentary.
ISLAMABAD: Geo News resumed its transmission on Sunday after the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued its final verdict regarding a controversial documentary aired during the channel’s 10th Muharram special transmission.
In its written order dated July 11, PEMRA upheld its decision to suspend the broadcaster’s licence for 15 days and imposed a Rs10 million fine. The regulator stated that transmission could resume only after the suspension period was completed and the penalty was paid.
PEMRA acknowledged that the broadcaster admitted negligence, issued unconditional public apologies, and took disciplinary action against those responsible. However, it ruled that these measures did not remove the legal consequences of the violation.
The authority directed the broadcaster to dismiss employees found responsible for the disputed broadcast and ruled that, subject to applicable laws, they would not be eligible to work for any PEMRA-licensed media organisation in the future. Geo News must also submit an affidavit confirming compliance with the regulator’s directives.
Additionally, PEMRA instructed all television licensees to establish impartial in-house editorial monitoring committees to strengthen content review before transmission. It also announced plans to issue further directives requiring broadcasters to comply with the Supreme Court’s judgment in Suo Motu Case No. 28 of 2018.
The suspension stemmed from religiously sensitive visuals aired during the programme “Safar-e-Ishqon” on June 26. After reviewing the case, including recommendations from the Council of Complaints and the Council of Islamic Ideology, PEMRA issued its final ruling.
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