Kathmandu— Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has introduced the Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, which require foreign journalists to obtain prior approval for reporting outside major cities like Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. The guidelines also mandate registration with the ministry and no-objection certificates (NOCs) for travel to sensitive regions amid protests in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). This move has drawn widespread criticism from international media organizations and human rights groups who fear it will limit independent reporting.

Criticism From Media Organizations

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called the guidelines 'draconian' and urged Pakistani authorities to withdraw them. CPJ Afghanistan and Pakistan Representative Waliullah Rahmani stated that these measures institutionalize state control over journalism, preventing journalists from reporting freely outside major cities and risking administrative retaliation. Reuters also criticized the restrictions, emphasizing that journalists should be free to report news without interference.

Human Rights Concerns

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed deep concern over the new guidelines, arguing they institutionalize bureaucratic control over journalism and deter independent reporting. HRCP highlighted a growing pattern of restrictions on media freedom in Pakistan, including arbitrary curbs on reporting, increasing censorship, and expanding legal barriers. The commission urged the Pakistani government to uphold its constitutional and international obligations to protect freedom of expression.

Impact on Reporting

The guidelines empower authorities to suspend or revoke journalists' accreditation for acts deemed against Pakistan's 'ideology, sovereignty, security, or public order.' This has already impacted coverage of protests in PoJK, where mobile and internet services were suspended, leading to at least 40 deaths. Journalist Syed Farhad Ali Shah began a hunger strike after being detained without charge, while journalists Razi Tahir and Muhammad Saif have reportedly been missing since their detention by police.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.