Foreign media personnel will now need a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) before travelling outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for news coverage, under new guidelines issued by the ministry.
The Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines, 2026 set out registration and accreditation requirements for foreign media houses, organisations and outlets operating in Pakistan, along with journalists, media owners, professionals, sources, freelancers, sponsors, fixers and other individuals working or contributing for them.
Personnel already accredited or registered with the ministry’s External Publicity (EP) Wing will need to obtain a mandatory NOC from the wing before travelling to any city beyond the three named centres, whether the purpose is a news report, video, film, documentary or content for social media.
The wing may also issue a NOC for leisure travel to Abbottabad or Murree if a journalist requests one, with a three-day processing window built into the notification.
The rules cover all foreign and international media operating in print, electronic and digital formats, including social media and web-based platforms.
Journalists working for international or foreign outlets are required to register through a designated online portal set up by the EP Wing. Pakistani journalists based abroad who contribute to foreign media must apply through the same portal while simultaneously routing their case through the nearest press attaché, counsellor or minister at Pakistani missions, consulates, high commissions or embassies, the ministry said.
The registration requirement extends further: companies, entities and production houses that facilitate foreign media in Pakistan in any capacity must also register with the publicity wing, as must non-journalists based in the country who provide services to foreign media outlets.
The ministry clarified that registration does not grant any official status and only establishes professional recognition, adding that applications will only be processed if backed by a recommendation from the head of the relevant organisation.
Once registered, journalists applying for a press accreditation card must submit their request through the portal along with the required documents. The guidelines outline two categories of accreditation, permanent cards issued annually and temporary cards for visiting journalists valid for up to three months.
Holders of the EP Wing’s accreditation card will be facilitated for access to official media events and government premises, though they will be required to produce the card on demand. The card must be surrendered if a journalist changes category or organisation, or once their accreditation period ends.
Registration cards may be issued within seven working days of an application being submitted, while accreditation cards could take between four and six weeks, the notification said, adding that the ministry may request additional information or documents where necessary.
