Will go to court if Geo transmission not suspended: PEMRA member
He alleged that Mir Shakil tried to influence PEMRA members and the due process.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) member Israr Abbasi said on Tuesday that the decision made by PEMRA committee to suspend licences of three of Geo/Jang group’s channels was legitimate as it was as per the schedule and the law. He warned that he would take the matter to court if GeoTV’s transmission is not suspended, Dunya News reported.
Earlier PEMRA’s session comprising five key members suspended licences of Geo News, Geo Entertainment and Geo Tez TV out of five TV channels owned and operated by Geo/Jang group and moved for revocation of licenses.
PEMRA member Mian Shams said that PEMRA’s today’s session comprised members from all over Pakistan. He said that PEMRA members have full authority as per PEMRA rules.
He said that a committee will be formed in next session to assert the authority of the chairman. He also recommended immediate suspension and sealing Geo’s offices.
He alleged that Mir Shakil tried to influence PEMRA members and the due process.
He said that PEMRA has also said the recommendations to Geo/Jang group seeking response by May 28 when the final decision will be taken. He alleged that Mir Shakil wanted private members of PEMRA to decide on the issue in order to influence the process and seek a favourable decision.
Another member Israr Abbasi alleged that Mir Shakil tried to call PEMRA members individually but he refused to answer the call.
Earlier, Council of Complaints Karachi chapter also recommended revoking GeoTV’s license over airing of allegedly blasphemous content.
The recommendation was made by complaints council Karachi following the complaints and reports of allegedly blasphemous content on Geo’s morning show.
PEMRA had slammed Geo TV with a show-cause notice for allegedly airing blasphemous content, seeking immediate explanation.
The show-cause notice was issued by PEMRA over the objectionable content broadcasted in Geo Entertainment’s morning show ‘Utho Jago Pakistan’.
According to PEMRA spokesperson, over 10,000 complaints were received against the show. The complaints were sent to the Complaint Council for review, seeking apt recommendations.
