HRCP, PFUJ flag fresh curbs on foreign press access
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have expressed concerns regarding media freedom after the government mandated foreign media personnel to seek permission for travelling to a
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Pakistan's media freedom debate has intensified after the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists voiced concern over new rules affecting foreign press movement. Under the Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, foreign media personnel must seek permission before travelling to any city outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for news coverage, according to Dawn Home.
The HRCP said the requirement sends a troubling signal to journalists and could discourage reporting from large parts of the country. In its Wednesday statement, the rights body argued that the rules would place bureaucratic control over news gathering and make it harder for independent reporting on matters of public interest. It said the move fits into what it described as a broader pattern of restrictions on media freedom in Pakistan.
That pattern, HRCP said, includes arbitrary limits on reporting, rising censorship and legal and administrative hurdles that have narrowed space for independent journalism. The commission urged the government to withdraw the restrictive measures and meet its constitutional and international duties to protect freedom of expression.
PFUJ also rejected the new rules. In a statement issued on Thursday, PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari said the guidelines amount to an attack on freedom of expression and a curb on press freedom. They said the policy does not only limit foreign journalists to major cities, but also restricts the movement of Pakistani media workers employed by international outlets.
The union said those restrictions undermine the ability of journalists to report freely from across the country. While the government has described the rules as a facilitation framework, critics say the approval requirement may function as a barrier to coverage rather than a support mechanism.
The concern from both bodies adds to continuing scrutiny of Pakistan's media environment, where press groups and rights advocates have frequently warned about shrinking space for independent reporting. The latest dispute now centres on whether the new foreign press rules are a practical administrative measure or another step toward tighter control of coverage.
For now, the issue is likely to keep pressure on the government to explain how the guidelines will work in practice and whether they can be revised to avoid limiting legitimate reporting access.
FAQ
Q: What are the new foreign press rules in Pakistan?
A: According to the feed summary, foreign media personnel must seek permission before travelling outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for news coverage.
Q: Who has criticised the rules?
A: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists have both expressed concern.
Q: Why are the rules controversial?
A: Critics say they may restrict independent reporting and add bureaucratic barriers to press freedom.
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