New York, August 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Pakistani authorities to withdraw the newly introduced Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, calling the regulations “draconian” and warning that they could further restrict reporting on unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Under the new guidelines, foreign journalists are required to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB) before travelling to cities outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for news assignments.
The guidelines also set out procedures for registering and accrediting foreign media organisations and their journalists, media professionals, freelancers, sources, fixers and other associated personnel working or contributing in Pakistan, according to Pakistani daily Dawn.
Waliullah Rahmani, CPJ’s Afghanistan and Pakistan representative, said the regulations could allow authorities to further restrict international media coverage and expose journalists to administrative action for reporting outside the country’s three main cities.
“The Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines open the door for Pakistani authorities to further restrict international media coverage, prevent journalists from reporting freely outside Pakistan’s three main cities, and risk exposing them to administrative retaliation,” Rahmani said.
He described the move as another setback for press freedom in Pakistan, particularly for journalists covering unrest in PoK.
CPJ said the guidelines were issued shortly after the Pakistani government criticised international reporting on elections and protests in PoK. Authorities had also accused Al Jazeera of “yellow journalism”, following which access to the broadcaster’s website was reportedly restricted in Pakistan.
The organisation alleged that Pakistani authorities have also restricted coverage of protests seeking electoral reforms in PoK after international media reported alleged police violence against demonstrators. Internet and mobile services have also faced disruptions.
The latest restrictions come amid escalating unrest in PoK, where more than 50 people have reportedly been killed and hundreds injured in recent days. Civil society organisations have expressed concern over restrictions on freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom.
Several groups have said internet services in PoK have remained suspended since June 5, with broadband only partially restored on July 29, while mobile data services continue to face disruption.
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