Pakistan Tightens Control Over Foreign Journalists with New Media Rules

By  News On Air   Aug 05, 2026

Pakistan has tightened its control over foreign media by introducing new rules that require foreign journalists to obtain prior government approval before reporting from most parts of the country. Pakistan is under international scrutiny over its handling of protests and crackdown in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (POJK), where human rights groups and press freedom organisations have raised concerns over restrictions on journalists, internet blackouts and the use of force against demonstrators. Several news outlets were recently banned by Pakistan over their coverage of the crackdown by authorities in POJK.

The Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines, 2026 effectively place large parts of Pakistan beyond the reach of independent foreign reporting unless journalists first secure a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s External Publicity Wing (EP Wing). Until now, foreign correspondents could seek permissions on a case-by-case basis. The new framework formalises those controls and expands the government’s oversight over nearly every aspect of foreign media operations.

Under the new rules, foreign journalists can freely operate only in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. Any reporting assignment elsewhere — including producing news reports, documentaries, videos or social media content — will require prior clearance from the government.

International organisations, including Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists, have urged Pakistan to protect press freedom and investigate allegations of abuses.