PEMRA media rules during 10 Muharram put Pakistan’s broadcast sector under its tightest scrutiny of the year. Every Ashura, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), the body that licenses and regulates all private TV and radio channels, steps up enforcement of its code of conduct. At the same time, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) works with provincial governments to restrict mobile services in flashpoint areas. Together, these steps shape what millions of Pakistanis can watch, stream, and share on one of the most sensitive dates in the Islamic calendar.
What Is PEMRA and How Does It Regulate Channels?
PEMRA was set up under the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 to license and oversee private electronic media in Pakistan. It can issue show-cause notices, impose fines, and suspend or cancel a channel’s broadcast license if it breaks the rules. The Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct spells out what channels can and cannot air. Content that is sectarian, inflammatory, or likely to cause public disorder is banned at all times, but enforcement is especially active around sensitive occasions like 10 Muharram.
PEMRA has used these powers many times before. In one well-known case, it slapped a Rs 1 million fine on Geo News and warned the channel of license suspension for airing content the regulator called harmful to state institutions. In another instance, PEMRA suspended Geo News’s license for 15 days and imposed a Rs 10 million fine after a complaint from the defence ministry. These cases show that the regulator does act, and channels know the consequences of crossing the line.
PEMRA Media Rules Around 10 Muharram
During Ashura, PEMRA sends formal reminders to all licensed channels about the Code of Conduct. The core rules that apply include:
- No sectarian content: Channels cannot air material that targets any religious sect or group.
- No inflammatory speeches or calls to violence: Live coverage of processions must be handled carefully.
- Responsible breaking news: Channels must verify information before broadcasting it, especially about security incidents.
- No incitement: Visuals or commentary that could spark public unrest are strictly off-limits.
Journalist associations have, at times, pushed back on PEMRA’s notices. The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) has called some show-cause notices issued to channels during sensitive events an attempt to pressure media rather than a genuine regulatory act. The debate between editorial freedom and state-imposed limits is a recurring one in Pakistan’s media landscape.
Mobile Service Suspensions on Ashura
Alongside broadcast restrictions, the government regularly orders PTA to cut or limit mobile phone services in high-risk zones during 10 Muharram. Mobile services were suspended in several parts of the country on Muharram 9 and 10 as authorities sought to prevent untoward situations. In Islamabad, the Ministry of Interior asked PTA to suspend mobile services not only on Muharram 9 and 10, but on Muharram 11 as well. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, mobile services remained suspended across 14 districts on both days.
In Karachi, PTA announced that mobile services in some areas would remain partially suspended until Muharram 10. Landline and cable internet services, however, continued without interruption, meaning people could still get news through fixed connections and TV.
The reason given is always security. Authorities say that during large processions, mobile networks can be used to coordinate attacks or spread panic through false rumours. Critics argue that the shutdowns also stop journalists from filing reports and ordinary people from calling for help in emergencies.
Why Geo News Faces Extra Scrutiny
As Pakistan’s most-watched news channel, Geo News is often at the centre of PEMRA actions. In April 2026, PEMRA issued a show-cause notice to Geo News after the channel aired Indian songs and film visuals during coverage of singer Asha Bhosle’s death. The regulator cited a Supreme Court directive restricting Indian content and called the broadcast a defiance of that order. Geo News’s managing director Azhar Abbas defended the coverage as a cultural retrospective, pointing to the artistic ties between Bhosle and Pakistani legends. That case sparked a wider debate about editorial freedom and the limits of cultural exchange on Pakistani airwaves.
Whether the issue is Indian music, sectarian content, or live coverage of sensitive events, the pattern is the same: PEMRA issues a notice, the channel responds, and the public debate follows. The PEMRA website publishes press releases and announcements that track these actions for anyone who wants to follow them directly.
What This Means for Viewers and Journalists
For ordinary viewers, PEMRA media rules during 10 Muharram mean that live coverage of processions is possible but heavily controlled. Channels that push boundaries risk suspension. For journalists covering Ashura, mobile blackouts make field reporting much harder. News has to move through satellite links, fixed internet, or by physically returning to a newsroom.
For the channels themselves, the period around Ashura is a test of editorial judgment. Getting the balance right between informing the public and avoiding content that sparks conflict is genuinely difficult. PEMRA’s job, at least on paper, is to make sure they do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PEMRA do during 10 Muharram?
PEMRA sends reminders to all TV channels about its Code of Conduct, monitors live broadcasts, and is ready to issue fines or suspend licenses if any channel airs sectarian, inflammatory, or harmful content during Ashura.
Why are mobile services suspended on Ashura in Pakistan?
Provincial governments and the Ministry of Interior ask PTA to cut mobile services in sensitive areas during Muharram 9 and 10 to stop the spread of rumours, prevent coordination of attacks, and help security forces manage large processions safely.
Can PEMRA suspend a TV channel’s license?
Yes. PEMRA has the power under its ordinance to suspend or cancel a broadcast license. It has done so before, most notably when it suspended Geo News’s license for 15 days and imposed a Rs 10 million fine following a defence ministry complaint.
Are landline and internet services also cut during Ashura?
Generally, no. Landline phones and cable internet connections have continued without interruption during past Ashura suspensions. Only mobile phone and mobile data services in specific high-risk areas are typically restricted.
