ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s media regulator has sought the opinion of the country’s top constitutional Islamic advisory body on whether the penalties imposed on a prominent local news channel over a controversial Muharram broadcast are sufficient or if further action is warranted, according to an official statement issued on Thursday.
The move marks the latest step in regulatory proceedings against Geo News, one of Pakistan’s largest private television broadcasters, after the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) suspended the channel’s license and transmission for 15 days last week over content it said contained depictions of revered Islamic figures.
PEMRA said the visuals could hurt people’s religious sentiments and undermine public order.
According to Pakistan’s information ministry, PEMRA’s Council of Complaints met in Lahore on June 30, where it considered the case against Geo News over its Muharram broadcast.
“The Council of Complaints decided that, before submitting its recommendations to the PEMRA Authority, an opinion should be sought from the Council of Islamic Ideology on the matter,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The Council raised the question of whether the suspension of the license by PEMRA, along with the apology and measures presented by Geo News, are sufficient in this case or whether further action is required,” it added.
The Council of Islamic Ideology is a constitutional advisory body established to examine whether laws conform to Islamic injunctions and to advise parliament and governments on Islamic matters. Its recommendations are not legally binding but often carry significant weight on religious issues.
The ministry said the regulator sought the Council’s guidance in view of the sensitivity of religious matters and Article 19 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and press freedom subject to reasonable restrictions, including those relating to the glory of Islam.
According to the statement, Geo News’ executive director appeared before the Council of Complaints along with legal representatives, informed the body of the measures taken by the broadcaster and requested that the suspension of its license be lifted.
Geo News said on Wednesday it had dismissed the employees responsible for producing and approving the documentary that prompted the suspension and had introduced additional editorial safeguards, including adding an Islamic scholar to its editorial review process for sensitive religious content.
The broadcaster has also issued an unconditional public apology, saying the material had been aired in error, did not reflect its editorial position and had depicted rituals practiced by some people in Iraq and the Middle East rather than endorsing any religious belief.
PEMRA suspended the channel last week after finding that a June 26 Muharram transmission included what it described as “religious visualization” liable to hurt religious sentiments, undermine religious harmony and disturb public order.
It also directed the broadcaster to conduct an internal inquiry and submit its findings to the Council of Complaints.
