Watchdogs call for scrapping foreign press curbs

International human rights organizations have strongly condemned new government guidelines restricting foreign media operations in Pakistan, labeling them an "attack on press freedom." The directives, which require Pakistani journalists, fixers, and support staff working for foreign outlets to register with the government and seek permission for travel outside Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, have drawn sharp criticism.

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The controls mark “an alarming step” in Pakistan’s “narrowing space for press freedom,”

Previously, only foreign journalists faced movement controls. The new Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines, 2026, extend these restrictions to local staff, alarming organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Patricia Gossman of Human Rights Watch described the move as "an alarming step" in Pakistan's "narrowing space for press freedom" and urged for its immediate reversal.

Amnesty International questioned the government's motives, asking, "Why is the government afraid of truth?" The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) echoed these sentiments, calling the guidelines "draconian" and warning they could lead to administrative retaliation against journalists. CPJ's Afghanistan and Pakistan Representative, Waliullah Rahmani, stated the guidelines "open the door for Pakistani authorities to further restrict international media coverage."

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Why is the government afraid of truth?

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists have also denounced the guidelines. According to CPJ, the directives were issued shortly after the government criticized international reporting on elections and protests in Azad Kashmir and accused Al Jazeera of "yellow journalism." Foreign media representatives were subsequently ordered out of Azad Kashmir.

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The Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines open the door for Pakistani authorities to further restrict international media coverage, prevent journalists from reporting freely outside Pakistan’s three main cities, and risk exposing them to administrative retaliation.

Several international news organizations have expressed concern. A spokesperson for the Financial Times stated, "We support the ability of journalists to report freely and independently." Reuters affirmed that "Journalists should be free to report the news wherever they are." The BBC called the new guidelines "unnecessary restrictions" and a "step backwards for Pakistan’s media freedom."

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We support the ability of journalists to report freely and independently.