The Geo News International was ordered to shutdown at 20:00 (GMT) over the ongoing crisis in Pakistan.

According to various reports, Geo refused to surrender to the will of the government. It should be noted that Geo News and its entire sister channels had been closed down across Pakistan after the imposition of emergency but were still viewable on dish antenna.

The concerned authorities told the reason that there is immense pressure from President Pervez Musharraf's government on them to get the telecast of Geo Network closed down.

A source from Geo UK told BizAsia.co.uk that it remained optimistic and upbeat about a possible return "within days".

With the way things stand, Geo UK will continue to screen entertainment programmes, however news and current affair shows have been suspended.

According to Geo News, viewers would still be able to watch the other channels of Geo Network including Geo Entertainment, Aag TV and Geo Super.

Geo is hoping that it could still launch its current affairs channel Geo News International in the UK on Monday (19th November) on Sky Digital EPG 825.

Geo was the only broadcaster that had scrapped its schedule in favour of rolling news since the Pakistani government declared emergency on Saturday 3rd November.

Updated: 20:24

Related links:
State emergency halts Pakistan TV channels
Geo News Int. begins test transmissions on Sky