Paris, August 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has strongly criticised Pakistan over what it described as an escalating crackdown on journalists and media organisations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), calling for the immediate release of detained journalists and restoration of unrestricted internet access in the region.
The international press freedom organisation said internet shutdowns, the blocking of international media outlets, arrests of journalists, restrictions on foreign reporters, court summons and other measures were contributing to a serious deterioration in press freedom.
RSF said protests over electoral reforms in PoK had been met with a heavy crackdown and mass arrests, while authorities had simultaneously intensified restrictions on media coverage following the July 27 elections to the region’s legislative assembly.
Celia Mercier, head of RSF’s South Asia desk, said authorities appeared to have taken extensive measures to create an information blackout in the region.
“The internet shutdown and restrictions on internet access, the surge in arrests and restrictions on access for media professionals,” along with prosecutions under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), reflected what she described as a dramatic deterioration in press freedom.
RSF called for detained journalists to be released, full internet access to be restored in PoK, restrictions on foreign journalists to be lifted, abusive legal proceedings to be halted and the right to information to be protected.
The organisation said Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting blocked access to the Al Jazeera website on August 2, accusing the international broadcaster of sensationalising its coverage of the region.
Two days later, the ministry introduced the “Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026”. RSF described the provisions as “new draconian guidelines”, noting that foreign correspondents, including Pakistani journalists working for international media organisations, would require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to report from outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
The guidelines also allow accreditation to be revoked for broadly defined grounds, including acts deemed contrary to Pakistan’s ideology, sovereignty, security or public order, RSF said.
The organisation said pressure on journalists was not confined to PoK. On July 29, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency summoned freelance journalist Asad Ali Toor under Section 26A of PECA, which deals with the dissemination of alleged false information.
RSF also cited pressure on newsrooms, including the departure of journalist Munizae Jahangir from Aaj TV in July after 11 years presenting the programme Spotlight. Jahangir, who is also vice chair of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, said external pressure had placed the management under severe strain.
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