• PFUJ, HRCP say guidelines tighten ‘state control’ over reporting, restrict journalists’ movement
• BBC says it is extremely concerned by new rules; CPJ terms restrictions ‘yet another appalling blow to press freedom in Pakistan’
• Journalists’ union warns of resorting to protest if demands not accepted
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s media bodies and human rights watchdog have criticised the new rules introduced by the government for foreign media representatives working in the country, terming them an attempt to restrict professional journalism and the free flow of information.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has “strongly condemned” the new Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, describing them as a curb on press freedom.
In a statement issued on Thursday, PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari said the guidelines amounted to “attacking the freedom of expression and putting curbs on press freedom”.
“The government has not only banned foreign journalists from visiting most parts of Pakistan except major cities, but has also restricted the movement of Pakistani media persons working with international media outlets. They are not allowed to visit these areas on their own either,” the statement said.
“How can foreign correspondents and their Pakistani colleagues perform their professional duties after this notification?” the PFUJ leaders asked.
They further asserted that the move would “only bring disrepute to Pakistan and damage its image”.
“Pakistan is already ranked very low among countries with the worst record on press freedom. This action by the government will only worsen that.”
It demanded that the government immediately “lift this ban” if it believed in democracy and press freedom, arguing that the move would also affect the employment prospects of Pakistanis working with international media organisations.
“Naturally, if Pakistani journalists working with global media outlets are unable to visit different areas, they will not be able to perform their professional responsibilities. Consequently, they would lose their jobs,” it contended.
The PFUJ leaders said such actions “are taken in banana republics, not in countries that claim to follow democratic principles”.
“If the demands of the PFUJ are not accepted, we will be left with no option but to resort to protests and demonstrations,” the statement warned.
‘Critical reporting unwelcome’
Similarly, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said the “requirement that journalists obtain state approval to report from large parts of the country sends a chilling message: critical reporting is unwelcome”.
Expressing deep concern, the commission said the rules would “invariably institutionalise bureaucratic control over news-gathering and risk deterring independent reporting on matters of public interest”, rather than facilitate journalism.
“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 urged the government to withdraw the “restrictive measures” and uphold its constitutional and international obligations to protect freedom of expression.
In a post on X, Amnesty International also urged “Pakistan’s authorities to end the escalating restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, including press freedom, access to information and human rights advocacy”.
In a letter addressed to the government, Amnesty, the HRCP and other organisations called for the withdrawal of the Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, which they said imposed “onerous restrictions on reporting by foreign journalists”.
A spokesperson for BBC said in a statement that the broadcaster was “extremely concerned’ over the government’s news rules.
“Our journalists, including local staff based in Pakistan, must be able to travel to all parts of the country to cover events as they emerge and to hear the voices of ordinary citizens,” the statement added.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also called on Pakistani authorities to withdraw the new guidelines.
“These guidelines mark yet another appalling blow to press freedom in Pakistan,” CPJ Afghanistan and Pakistan Representative Waliullah Rahmani said.
According to the new guidelines, all foreign media personnel will now require a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Information 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.
Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026
