Pakistan’s media regulator has suspended the broadcasting license of Geo News for 15 days after it found that the channel had aired content that could hurt religious sentiments and disrupt public order during a program on the occasion of Muharram.The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) said the channel aired “religious scenes” during its June 26 broadcast, adding that the content had the potential to offend viewers, undermine religious harmony and create law and order concerns during one of the holiest and most sensitive periods in the Islamic calendar.Geo News apologized, saying the footage was aired unintentionally and did not reflect the channel’s editorial policy or religious beliefs.In a statement issued on Sunday, the broadcaster said the content was aired in error and it had been removed from all its platforms.The channel said that these scenes depicted religious rituals practiced by some communities in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East and were intended only to depict local customs rather than endorsing any particular religious interpretation.Pakistan is highly sensitive about depictions of the Prophet Mohammed and other revered Islamic figures. There have been widespread protests in the country in the past over such issues, including in parts of Europe over cartoons published.Religious tensions often rise during Muharram, leading authorities to impose stringent security measures to prevent communal unrest and maintain public order.The regulator said Geo News failed to exercise adequate editorial caution before airing the programme. It has directed the broadcaster to conduct an internal investigation into the incident, and also referred the matter to the regulator’s grievance council for further action.Geo News is one of Pakistan’s largest privately owned television broadcasters and has faced regulatory scrutiny before.The suspension comes against the backdrop of ongoing international concern over media freedom in Pakistan. Television channels have faced suspension, banning and other regulatory action from time to time in recent years.Reporters Without Borders ranked Pakistan 153rd out of 180 countries in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index.