ISLAMABAD (MNN); The case concerning Geo News’ Muharram transmission has taken a significant new turn as the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has decided to seek guidance from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) before issuing its final recommendations.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the PEMRA Council of Complaints, Lahore, held on June 30, where members reviewed the reference forwarded by the PEMRA Authority regarding the controversial Ashura broadcast.
After detailed deliberations, the Council concluded that both the constitutional and religious dimensions of the matter required careful consideration. It therefore resolved to formally consult the Council of Islamic Ideology before finalizing its recommendations.
The Council has requested the CII to determine whether the actions already taken against Geo News—including the suspension of its broadcasting licence, the channel’s unconditional public apology, and other corrective measures—are sufficient under Islamic teachings or whether further action should be recommended.
The CII has also been asked to advise on any additional measures that may be appropriate if the steps already taken are considered inadequate under Islamic principles.
During the proceedings, Geo News’ Executive Director, accompanied by legal counsel, appeared before the Council and briefed members on the corrective actions implemented by the organization. The channel also requested the restoration of its suspended broadcasting licence.
In its observations, the Council referred to Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press while making those rights subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of the glory of Islam, national security, public order, decency, morality, and other constitutional requirements.
Considering both the constitutional and religious aspects of the case, the Council formally sought the opinion of the Council of Islamic Ideology and requested it to submit its recommendations within seven days, by July 8, 2026.
The controversy emerged during Geo News’ Ashura transmission, when content involving the visual depiction of revered personalities sparked widespread public criticism and concerns from religious circles.
Following the incident, PEMRA suspended the channel’s licence. Geo News later issued an unconditional public apology, describing the broadcast as an unintentional editorial error.
The management also announced disciplinary action against those responsible and introduced additional editorial safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This marks the first time during the proceedings that PEMRA has formally sought religious guidance from the Council of Islamic Ideology alongside its legal review.
The CII’s opinion is expected to play a key role in determining whether the actions already taken are sufficient or whether further regulatory measures will be recommended against the television channel.
