Key Takeaways
- Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) express concern over new media regulations.
- Foreign journalists must obtain permission to travel outside Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi for news coverage.
- The rules are seen as a threat to press freedom and independent journalism in Pakistan.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have issued statements expressing deep concern over new guidelines imposed by the government, which require foreign media personnel to seek permission before traveling outside Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi for news coverage.
According to the 'Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026', all foreign journalists will now need a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the information ministry to travel to any city except these three major cities to produce content such as news stories, videos, films, documentaries, or social media posts for official use.
HRCP stated in a statement on Wednesday that this requirement sends a “chilling message: that critical reporting is unwelcome.” The commission warned that the rules would “invariably institutionalise bureaucratic control over news gathering and risk deterring independent reporting on matters of public interest,” rather than facilitating journalism.
PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari strongly condemned the new guidelines in a statement issued on Thursday. They argued that the government has not only banned foreign journalists from visiting most areas of Pakistan except major cities but also restricted the movement of Pakistani media persons working with international media outlets.
The PFUJ leaders highlighted that these restrictions would impact the employment of Pakistanis working with global media outlets, as they would be unable to perform their professional duties. They warned that such actions are “taken in banana republics, not in countries that claim to follow democratic principles.”
HRCP and PFUJ urged the government to withdraw the restrictive measures and uphold its constitutional and international obligations to protect freedom of expression.
The PFUJ statement noted that Pakistan is already ranked very low among countries with the worst records on press freedom, and these actions would only add to this reputation. The union demanded immediate lifting of the ban if the government truly believes in democracy and press freedom.
PFUJ leaders warned that if their demands are not accepted, they will be left with no option but to resort to protest and demonstrations.
The requirement that journalists obtain state approval to report from large parts of the country sends a chilling message: that critical reporting is unwelcome.
HRCP, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan
How can foreign correspondents and their Pakistani colleagues perform their professional duties after this notification?
PFUJ leaders, President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists
