PoK crackdown: NOC mandatory to travel outside Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi

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. For personal travel to Abbottabad and Murree, they may apply for an NOC through the ministry's External Publicity (EP) Wing, with approvals expected within three working days.“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, as cited by Dawn.Additionally, the guidelines require all companies, entities, production houses and other organisations operating in Pakistan to facilitate foreign media "in any capacity" to register with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's publicity wing.The registration requirement also applies to non-journalists residing in Pakistan who provide services to foreign media organisations.The new rules apply to all international media organisations, including print, electronic and digital outlets, as well as web-based platforms and social media organisations.The regulations also require production houses, companies, freelancers, fixers and non-journalists providing services to foreign media in Pakistan to register with the ministry. It clarified that the registration is intended solely for professional recognition and does not grant any official status."All foreign/international media personnel already accredited or registered with EP Wing shall be required a mandatory NOC from EP Wing for movement to any other city (except Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi) in case they are going to produce a news content, story, video, film, documentary or social media content for their official use," the guidelines state.After completing the registration process, journalists seeking a press accreditation card must submit an application through the online portal along with the required documents. The guidelines provide for two categories of accreditation: permanent accreditation, issued annually, and temporary accreditation for visiting journalists, valid for up to three months.Once the external publicity wing issues the accreditation card, it will "facilitate" journalists' access to official media events and government premises.The guidelines state that journalists will be "bound to produce that card on demand", and must surrender it if they change their organisation or accreditation category, or when the accreditation period expires.The latest measures come amid heightened scrutiny of media access in Pakistan following reports of protests, disruptions and the alleged use of force during the local election process in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK).Human rights and press freedom organisations, including Amnesty International and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have raised concerns over alleged restrictions on journalists, communication blackouts, enforced disappearances of media personnel and curbs on foreign media coverage of the protests. Amnesty International has also called for an independent investigation into allegations of excessive force used against demonstrators in Rawalakot.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.