Pakistan introduces new media report rules for 2026

• Pakistan has approved Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, which require journalists (NOC) to obtain an NOC for reporting from Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.
• It also requires compliance with local laws, which journalists use for reporting in Pakistan; it also stipulates that journalists must obtain NOC for reporting.
• The guidelines also include a requirement for journalists to submit a request to the Pakistani authorities in advance for approval of their work, and to receive permission in the form of a NOC.

Pakistan has approved new rules for foreign media, under which journalists must obtain a NOC from Pakistani authorities to report from Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. According to the materials, the rules are intended for foreign media, including journalists, and include a requirement for journalists to obtain NOC before reporting.

In a statement, BBC said that the new rules require journalists to obtain NOC (No Objection Certificate) for international media materials. The BBC also said that the new rules will limit the ability of foreign journalists to report on events in the country and that the NOC requirement may be used to restrict media coverage.

In addition, the rules say that the Pakistani authorities can deny the NOC application. The rules also state that journalists must comply with local laws, and that they must have NOC before reporting. According to the BBC, the rules also include a requirement to submit a request to the Pakistani authorities in advance for approval of their work.

According to BBC, journalist Salhuddin Ahmed said the rules are intended to restrict the ability of journalists to report freely and that the NOC requirement is a way to control media coverage. He also said that the rules could be used to prevent journalists from reporting on sensitive topics.

The materials also note that Independent says that the new rules violate freedom of media, including the ability to report on events in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PAK). The BBC said that the External Publicity Wing requires journalists to send a WhatsApp message with the text “return back IMMEDIATELY” to obtain NOC for those who report from PAK. The materials also say that the BBC received information that local authorities are using the NOC process to restrict reporting on sensitive topics.

Independent also claims that the Ministry of Information criticises BBC and Al Jazeera for what it calls “selective reporting” and “misrepresenting” and “yellow journalism” regarding Al Jazeera. Independent also says that BBC has previously reported on the region for foreign media, noting that the rules are intended to restrict reporting by foreign journalists.

Independent also adds that in Kashmir, journalists are required to obtain permission from the authorities and that the NOC process is used to control journalists’ activities. The materials claim that the rules include a requirement to submit a request to the authorities in advance and that the NOC can be denied. The materials say that the Joint Awami Action Committee protested against the rules, and that the protest was reserved for the region.

Tags: Middle East/Politics