Pakistan Tightens Control Over Foreign Media: New NOC Rules Spark Protest

Sun Sep 06 2026 09:53:30 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

New guidelines require foreign journalists to obtain clearance to cover stories outside Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore, prompting complaints from press freedom groups.

Pakistan’s government today issued the Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, mandating that any foreign journalist—regardless of nationality—obtain a No‑Objection Certificate (NOC) before covering events outside the three major cities of Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. The move follows a growing crackdown on coverage of unrest in Pakistan‑administered Kashmir and draws sharp criticism from media advocacy groups who see it as a new chapter of press restriction. Critics argue that the guidelines will stifle on‑ground reporting and create a climate of self‑censorship, while the government claims they simply seek to coordinate media access. A coalition of international reporters plans to lobby the Information Ministry for clarification and a possible revision of the rules.

The new guidelines, issued on Sunday by the External Publicity wing of Pakistan’s Information Ministry, declare that any foreign media operating in the country must secure a No‑Objection Certificate (NOC) before reporting outside Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.

The move comes amid increasing tensions over coverage of violent protests in Pakistan‑administered Kashmir, where the Pakistani government has so far demanded that foreign journalists return immediately and apply for clearance.

Indian‑speaking journalist Stefano “Zaffar Abbas” says that “these are ridiculous restrictions and are totally unacceptable.” He added that, with a 240‑million‑person country, the new rules will severely curtail on‑ground reportage of breaking news.

Critics band together to argue that the guidelines the government calls an “administrative mechanism” are effectively a new tool for censorship, especially given the absence of any statutory backing. The charter says the NOC can be revoked if a journalist’s coverage is deemed “against ideology, sovereignty, security or public order.” Critics say such wording is vague and could be used to silence dissent.

The guidelines also leave foreign journalists’ accreditation open to loss under the same vague conditions, prompting worry that critics could be justified in claiming they are a tool to mop up negative stories.

A group of international reporters, aided by the president of the Federal Union of Journalists, has already requested a meeting with the Information Minister to address the crackdown and demand a clear, time‑bound procedure for NOC approval.

As the opposition, driven by the politicised media environment and the tense situation in Kashmir, calls for a review of the new rules, the Pakistani government maintains that the guidelines are nothing more than a procedural order to assist media access.