Pakistan’s new Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026 have drawn criticism from rights groups, which argue the measures will further restrict independent journalism….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Pakistan’s newly introduced Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026 have triggered criticism from rights groups, with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) warning that the measures further tighten state control over journalism and deepen concerns over the country’s shrinking media freedoms.
The guidelines require all foreign journalists to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB) before travelling beyond Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for news reporting.
According to Pakistani daily Dawn, the regulations establish procedures for the registration and accreditation of foreign media organisations operating in Pakistan, as well as journalists, media owners, freelancers, sponsors, fixers, contributors and other individuals associated with those organisations.
The HRCP said the measures, introduced as foreign media facilitation guidelines, would instead “institutionalise bureaucratic control over news gathering and risk deterring independent reporting on matters of public interest.”
“This is the latest in a growing pattern of restrictions on media freedom in Pakistan. From arbitrary curbs on reporting and increasing censorship to legal and administrative barriers, the space for independent journalism has continued to shrink,” the rights body said.
It also criticised the requirement for journalists to obtain official approval before reporting from across the country, stating that it “sends a chilling message: that critical reporting is unwelcome”.
The commission urged the Pakistani government to withdraw what it described as “restrictive measures” and fulfil its constitutional and international obligations to protect freedom of expression.
The introduction of the new rules comes amid heightened tensions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where recent unrest has resulted in more than 50 reported deaths and hundreds of injuries over the past several days. Some reports have suggested the actual death toll could be higher.
The Pakistani authorities’ response to the protests has drawn international scrutiny, with critics raising concerns over alleged human rights abuses and restrictions on media coverage in the region.
Earlier this week, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also expressed concern over the conditions facing media professionals in PoK, citing internet blackouts, telecommunications shutdowns, restrictions on reporting, and the detention and disappearance of journalists.
The organisation called on Pakistani authorities to end the crackdown on journalists, restore access to information and allow independent reporting in the region.
Concerns over media access have also extended beyond reporting restrictions. In recent days, several social media users in Pakistan reported difficulties accessing the international news outlet Al Jazeera’s website, prompting further debate over internet controls, press freedom and the public’s ability to obtain independent information.
The reported restrictions on international media platforms, combined with broader concerns over internet access and media coverage during the unrest, have intensified discussions about transparency, freedom of expression and the flow of independent information during periods of political instability.
