Pakistan's media regulator has suspended Geo News' broadcasting license for 15 days, deeming that a program dedicated to Muharram contained material likely to offend religious sensibilities. This decision comes during one of the most sensitive periods of the Islamic calendar in Pakistan.
According to the regulator, a program broadcast on June 26 featured "religious visuals" that could undermine harmony between religious communities and disturb public order. The authority criticized the channel for failing to exercise the necessary editorial caution before broadcasting these images.
Geo News apologized and stated that the content had been broadcast in error. In a statement released Sunday, the network asserted that the images did not reflect its editorial line or beliefs. It also indicated that it had removed the offending footage from all of its platforms.
The channel clarified that the images depicted rituals practiced by certain communities in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries. According to the channel, their broadcast was solely intended to illustrate local customs and was in no way aimed at promoting any religious interpretation.
In Pakistan, depictions of the Prophet Muhammad and other revered figures of Islam are a particularly sensitive issue. In the past, the publication of caricatures in several Western countries has sparked significant protests in the country. Authorities regularly increase security measures during Muharram commemorations to prevent sectarian tensions.
The regulatory authority also ordered Geo News to conduct an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the broadcast of the program. The case has been referred to the regulator's Complaints Board, which will examine any potential liability and the appropriate course of action.
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