Journalists and rights bodies on Thursday (August 6, 2026) strongly condemned the latest curbs on freedom of expression imposed by Pakistan after some foreign media outlets reported ongoing protests and polls in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in which several people lost their lives.

Under the new SoPs — Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026 — the journalists associated with foreign media will have to seek permission from the federal government for travelling to any city outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for news coverage.

All foreign media personnel will now need a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Information Ministry to travel to any city except Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi to produce “news content, story, video, film, documentary or social media content” for official use.

The guidelines further say that all entities operating in Pakistan to facilitate foreign media in any capacity are also required to register with the Ministry’s External Publicity (EP) Wing, as are non-journalists living in Pakistan who render services to foreign media.

The guidelines also specify that individuals’ press registration can be suspended or withdrawn for acts against ideology, sovereignty, security or public order of Pakistan, and if the EP Wing deems appropriate at any stage.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and Amnesty International voiced their concerns over the Shehbaz Sharif government’s action, which they say amounts to attacking media freedom.

The PFUJ strongly condemned the new rules and termed them as restrictions on press freedom.

“The guidelines amount to attacking the freedom of expression and putting curbs on press freedom,” it lambasted and questioned how foreign correspondents and their Pakistani colleagues can perform their professional duties after this notification.

“Pakistan is already ranked very low among the countries that have the worst record in press freedom. And the action of the government would add to it,” the PUJF said, demanding that the government immediately lift this ban if it believed in democracy and press freedom.

The PUJF warned that if its demands are not accepted, it will resort to protest and demonstrations.

The HRCP said the requirement that journalists obtain state approval to report from large parts of the country sends a chilling message — “that critical reporting is unwelcome.”

“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,” it said.

The rights body urged the government to withdraw the restrictive measures and uphold its constitutional and international obligation to protect freedom of expression.

Amnesty International also urged the Pakistani authorities to end the escalating restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, including press freedom, access to information, and human rights advocacy.

Published - August 07, 2026 12:16 am IST