The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) Council of Complaints in Lahore has referred the issue concerning Geo News to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) and sought their opinion. This referral seeks to ascertain whether the Geo News license suspension and the channel’s public apology and corrective measures were an “appropriate and adequate response.”

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Pemra Council of Complaints (Lahore) on June 30, where the gravity of the issue, given its religious implications, was discussed. The Council of Complaints has asked the CII on what additional action, if required, would be appropriate under Islamic teachings.

The Council was given a week’s time, by July 8, to provide its  expert opinion on the matter.

During the session, the Executive Director of Geo News, accompanied by legal representatives, presented the steps the channel undertook post-incident. They also appealed for the restoration of the broadcasting licence that PEMRA had suspended.