All foreign media personnel to require NOC from info ministry for news coverage outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi

Foreign media personnel operating in Pakistan face new restrictions, requiring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB) for any news coverage outside the capital, Islamabad, and the major cities of Lahore and Karachi. These requirements are outlined in the recently issued Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines, 2026.

The guidelines detail the process for registration and accreditation of foreign media entities and their personnel, including journalists, freelancers, and fixers. Even those already accredited with the MOIB's External Publicity (EP) Wing must obtain a mandatory NOC for travel to other cities for producing news content, videos, films, documentaries, or social media material for official use.

Leisure trips to popular tourist destinations like Abbottabad and Murree may also require an NOC, granted within three working days upon request. The new regulations encompass all international print, electronic, and digital media, including social media platforms. Pakistani journalists working abroad for foreign media must also register through the EP Wing portal, potentially via their nearest diplomatic mission.

Companies and production houses facilitating foreign media in Pakistan are also required to register with the ministry. The guidelines clarify that registration does not confer official status but professional recognition. Journalists seeking a Press Accreditation Card will need to apply via the portal, with options for permanent (annual) or temporary (up to three months) accreditation. Accredited journalists will receive facilitation for accessing official media events and government premises.