Channel taken off air

KARACHI:

The media regulator has suspended Geo News' broadcast licence for 15 days over content aired during a programme marking Muharram, saying that "religious visualisations" broadcast on June 26 could offend religious sentiments, undermine religious harmony and disturb public order.

Geo News has apologised and issued a statement on Sunday saying the material had been aired in error and did not reflect the channel's editorial position ?or beliefs. It said that the content in question had been removed from all its platforms.

The channel said the footage showed rituals practised by some people in Iraq and the Middle East and was intended to show local customs, not endorse any religious view.