Pakistan media regulator bans Geo News for 15 days over broadcast deemed religiously sensitive, channel issues apology

Pakistan’s media regulator has suspended the broadcasting license of Geo News TV channel for 15 days over content aired during the program marked Muharram, one of the most sensitive periods in the Islamic calendar.

The regulator said Geo News aired “religious visualisations” during its June 26 program that could offend religious sentiments, undermine religious harmony and disturb public order.

Geo News apologized and issued a statement on Sunday saying the material was aired in error and did not reflect the channel’s editorial position or beliefs.

The depiction of the Prophet Muhammad and other revered Islamic figures is a highly charged issue in Pakistan, where mass protests have erupted over cartoons published in Western countries.

Religious disputes can quickly spark public anger in the Muslim-majority country, where authorities have imposed heightened security during Muharram celebrations.

Geo News, one of Pakistan’s largest private television channels, said the content in question had been removed from all its platforms.

She said the footage shows rituals practiced by some people in Iraq and the Middle East and is intended to show local customs, not to promote any religious opinion.

Pakistan’s media regulator said Geo had failed to exercise editorial caution and ordered it to conduct an internal investigation. The matter has also been referred to the Regulator’s Complaints Board.

Pakistan faces constant criticism over press freedom, with television channels regularly facing regulatory action, suspensions and restrictions on transmission. ⁠Reporters Without Borders ranked Pakistan 153 out of 180 countries in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index.