3 Geo channels banned

Islamabad: The licences of three television channels of the Geo TV network were on Tuesday suspended by Pakistan’s electronic media watchdog for levelling allegations against the country’s powerful spy agency ISI.

The licences of Geo News, Geo Tez and Geo Entertainment have been suspended untill May 28 by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Mian Shams, a PEMRA member, told reporters.

“The licenses of these three channels have been suspended till May 28 when final decision will be taken about their future,” said Shams.

He said it was unanimously decided that the licence for Geo News be cancelled.

However, due to a legal formality that could not be completed, the recommendations were send to the Council of Complaints, advising that they respond before May 28, the date for the next meeting of PEMRA, Mr Shams said.

He said these channels have been ordered to be taken off air and their offices will be sealed.

However, it is not clear how the decision will be implemented as it was taken by private members only with government members of the PEMRA executive board not present in the meeting.

State-run PTV quoted a PEMRA spokesman as saying that no meeting was held and the reported meeting by some private members was “illegal”.