LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Council of Complaints Lahore has sent the matter of Geo News to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) regarding the broadcast of visuals of sacred personalities on its Muharram 10 programme.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Council of Complaints Lahore held its meeting on on June 30, which decided to seek opinion of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on the matter pertaining to Geo News over depiction of holy figures in its programme on Muharram 10.
The meeting considered the matter sent by PEMRA Authority against Geo News. The Council of Complaints decided to seek the opinion of the Council of Islamic Ideology on this matter before submitting the proposals of the PEMRA Authority.
The Council raised the question whether the suspension of the licence by PEMRA and the apology and measures offered by Geo News are sufficient in this matter or further action is required.
The Council of Islamic Ideology has been requested to inform the Council of Complaints about its opinion within a week in the light of Islamic teachings and orders.
During the meeting, the Executive Director of Geo News appeared along with his lawyers.
He informed the Council about the steps taken by the organisation and also requested to lift the licence suspension.
In view of the sensitivity of the issue related to religious sentiments and Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the PEMRA Council of Complaints decided to seek formal guidance from the Council of Islamic Ideology.
According to Article 19, every citizen has the right to freedom of expression and opinion and the press is also given freedom, however, this freedom is subject to such reasonable restrictions as are necessary in the interest of the greatness of Islam and other constitutional requirements.
In this context, the Council of Complaints has sought guidance from the Council of Islamic Ideology as to whether the order to suspend the broadcasts already in progress in the case of Geo News, the public apology offered by the institution and the steps taken so far can be considered as a proper and sufficient response or not.
If these steps are insufficient, guidance should also be provided on the extent to which further action would be appropriate in the light of Islamic teachings and injunctions.
The Council of Islamic Ideology has been requested to send its opinion to the Council of Complaints within 7 days - by July 8, 2026.