PEMRA refers private channel’s ‘sensitive’ Muharram transmission matter to CII

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Jul, 2026) The Council of Complaints (CoC) of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has formally referred the matter of a controversial Muharram-ul-Haram transmission by a private tv channel to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).

The main purpose of referring the matter to the CII is to seek guidance on whether the current penalties against the channel are adequate or if further punitive measures are required.

According to news release, the authority informed CII that the PEMRA Monitoring Wing flagged a programme which was aired by the Geo News in Muharram during special transmission which contained a controversial content that would likely to “hurt the religious sentiments of viewers, undermine religious harmony, offend the accepted standards of responsibility and due care, and pose a risk of disturbance to public peace, tranquility and law and order."

In response, PEMRA said, various section, rule and clauses of the relevant laws were invoked and the broadcasting licence of Geo News was suspended for fifteen days effective from June 27, 2026.

“The suspension applies across all satellite and distribution networks,” it explained.

It informed the CII that the matter was eventually brought into the CoC that convened in Lahore on June 30, 2026. Top executives and legal counsels representing the Independent Media Corporation (owners of Geo News) appeared before the council, it added.

The channel's legal team argued that the objectionable content was "solely the result of human error; neither intentional nor deliberate.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

" They highlighted that a public apology had been published in leading newspapers and on their website, the content had been removed from all platforms, and an internal inquiry had been initiated against the responsible staff.

However, the Council observed a critical gap in the channel's defense and noted that the respondents “failed to provide any documentary evidence substantiating the internal inquiry and disciplinary proceedings against the concerned individual (s)."

Consequently, the CoC directed the channel to formally produce evidence of its internal disciplinary actions.

The CoC informed the CII Chairman that “it is to submit its appropriate recommendations to the Authority as to whether the suspension of the channel for fifteen days and the apology as well as actions so far rendered by Geo News are sufficient in relation to the airing of the aforesaid content, or whether any further regulatory, disciplinary or penal action is warranted under the relevant laws.

Citing Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which stresses on the freedom of expression with national and religious boundaries, the CoC requested the Council of Islamic Ideology to evaluate the ongoing regulatory actions.

Specifically, the CII has been asked to guide “whether the suspension order already passed and the public apology as well as actions so far rendered by Geo News constitute an adequate response and if not, to what extent any further action may be warranted in light of Islamic teachings and injunctions."

The requested guidance has been sought to be rendered within seven days, up to 8th July 2026.