PoK crackdown: NOC mandatory to travel outside Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi
Pakistan has introduced new regulations requiring foreign journalists to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for travel outside of Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. These rules also mandate that local entities and freelancers providing services to international media must register with the government.
Why it matters
These restrictions represent a tightening of state control over media operations, potentially impacting the ability of international outlets to report freely within the country.
Pakistan has imposed fresh restrictions on foreign media personnel, requiring journalists working for international news organisations to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before travelling outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for reporting assignments.The new guidelines, issued by Pakistan's ministry of information and broadcasting (MoIB), establish a comprehensive framework governing the registration, accreditation and movement of foreign media organisations and journalists operating in the country.Under the rules, journalists are exempt from the No Objection Certificate (NOC) requirement when travelling within Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
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