Pakistan regulator suspends Geo TV licences

Pakistan media regulator, PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulator Authority) has suspended the broadcasting licences of Geo TV, Geo News and Geo Tez channels and ordered immediate closure of their offices. The channels are however, still broadcasting.

Times Of India reports that the decision was taken by a five-member committee at PEMRA after complaints filed against the network. The complaints included showing alleged blasphemous on Geo Entertainment’s and allegations by its news channel that the country’s spy agency, Inter Services Intelligence, had orchestrated the attack on journalist Hamid Mir in Karachi last month.

The committee members told the media the decision was taken unanimously. But two-third of the committee’s members did not participate in the meeting.

“PEMRA has suspended the licences of Geo TV (Entertainment), Geo News and Geo Tez with immediate effect. We could have revoked the licenses as the quorum was incomplete. However, we have adjourned the decision until May 28 for we want all the members to be present at that meeting,” said PEMRA member Israr Abbasi.

A final decision to cancel the licences will taken on Wednesday 28th May.