Pakistan Tightens Rules on Foreign Media, Restricts Reporting Outside Three Cities

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Islamabad: Pakistan has introduced sweeping new restrictions on international media, requiring foreign journalists and media organisations to obtain official permission before reporting from most parts of the country.

Under the new Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, reporting without prior approval will only be allowed in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. Journalists must also obtain accreditation, while authorities can revoke it for actions deemed to be against Pakistan's ideology, sovereignty, security or public order.

The move has drawn criticism from journalist groups, who say it will limit independent reporting and press freedom. Pakistan is currently ranked 153rd out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index.

The restrictions were introduced after international media reported on deadly protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where dozens of protesters were killed. Following those reports, access to Al Jazeera's website was restricted in Pakistan, while the BBC said authorities ordered its journalists to leave the region after reporting allegations that security forces fired on unarmed protesters.

The Pakistani government has denied that the new rules amount to a blanket restriction on the media. However, journalists and legal experts argue that the guidelines contain vague provisions that could be used to curb reporting and further restrict press freedom.

Pic Credit: AFP