Pakistan has mandated all journalists working for foreign media to attain a No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB) before travelling outside Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi for covering news.
The new Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines, 2026, outline requirements for the registration and accreditation of “foreign media houses, organisations and outlets working in Pakistan and all eligible journalists, media owners, media professionals, sources, freelancers, sponsors, fixers, attached persons, assignees etc, of Pakistan working or contributing for them”.
The guidelines state that all foreign media personnel already accredited with the MOIB’s External Publicity Wing will require a mandatory NOC from the wing for movement to any city except for the three main cities to produce “news content, story, video film, documentary, or social media content”.
The guidelines apply to all foreign or international print, electronic and digital media, including social media and web-based platforms.
According to the new guidelines, all journalists working with international or foreign media outlets must register with the EP Wing through a designated Online Registration and Accreditation portal available at www.dml.nimar.pk/www.registration.epwing.gov.pk.
“All Pakistani journalists residing abroad, contributing to foreign media and seeking registration must submit their application through the EP Wing portal and concurrently forward their case through the nearest press attaché, counsellor, minister posted in Pakistan missions, consulates, high commissions, or embassies,” the MOIB said.
