New York [US], August 7 (ANI): Pakistan's latest move to curb the movement of foreign press in the country amid protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) due to administrative failures has drawn widespread criticism from international media organisations and rights groups, with fresh concerns that the measures could further erode press freedom and restrict independent reporting.

The newly introduced Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026 issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting require foreign journalists and Pakistani journalists working for international media organisations to obtain prior approval from the ministry before undertaking official reporting assignments outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

The guidelines also require journalists, foreign media outlets, local fixers and contributors to register with the ministry, while foreign journalists travelling to certain sensitive regions, including Abbottabad and Murree, must obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) even for leisure visits.

The move has prompted strong reactions from media organisations and human rights bodies, who stated that the regulations institutionalise state control over journalism and could limit coverage of developments in Pakistan, including the ongoing protests in PoJK.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Pakistani authorities to immediately withdraw what it described as 'draconian' guidelines.

'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,' CPJ Afghanistan and Pakistan Representative Waliullah Rahmani said in a statement issued on August 6.

Rahmani said the measures marked 'yet another appalling blow to press freedom in Pakistan', adding that journalists reporting on unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir were already facing increasing restrictions.

According to CPJ, the guidelines were introduced shortly after the Pakistani government criticised international coverage of protests in PoJK and accused Al Jazeera of engaging in 'yellow journalism.'

The media watchdog noted that access to Al Jazeera's website has since been restricted in the country.

The guidelines also empower authorities to suspend or revoke journalists' accreditation or that of media organisations for acts deemed to be against Pakistan's 'ideology, sovereignty, security or public order'.

CPJ further highlighted that Pakistani authorities have prohibited coverage of protests demanding administrative reforms in the region after international media reported on police brutality during clashes with demonstrators.

Mobile and internet services were suspended in the region, and at least 40 people were reported dead ahead of the unrest before July 27.

The watchdog also raised concerns over the treatment of journalists covering the unrest, stating that journalist Syed Farhad Ali Shah began a hunger strike after being detained for more than a month without charge, while journalists Razi Tahir and Muhammad Saif have reportedly been missing since being detained by police on August 1.

Reuters also criticised the restrictions, with a spokesperson stating, 'Journalists should be free to report the news wherever they are.'

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said it was 'deeply concerned' by the new guidelines, arguing that they would institutionalise bureaucratic control over news gathering instead of facilitating journalism.

'HRCP is deeply concerned by the government's new Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, which, rather than facilitating journalism, will invariably institutionalise bureaucratic control over news gathering and risk deterring independent reporting on matters of public interest,' the commission said in a statement.

The rights body said the latest measures reflected 'a growing pattern of restrictions on media freedom in Pakistan', citing arbitrary curbs on reporting, increasing censorship and expanding legal and administrative barriers.

'The requirement that journalists obtain state approval to report from large parts of the country sends a chilling message: that critical reporting is unwelcome,' HRCP said, urging the Pakistani government to withdraw the measures and uphold its constitutional and international obligations to protect freedom of expression.

The latest restrictions have come amid heightened international attention on developments in PoJK, where protests over electoral and governance issues have drawn increased scrutiny from foreign media and rights organisations amid police brutality. (ANI)