ISLAMABAD: The federal government has introduced new rules requiring all foreign media personnel to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB) before travelling outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for reporting assignments.
Issued under the Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines, 2026, the policy applies to all international print, electronic, digital and social media organisations operating in Pakistan, along with their journalists, freelancers, fixers, production staff and other associated personnel.
Under the new framework, foreign journalists already registered or accredited with the ministry’s External Publicity (EP) Wing must secure prior approval before travelling to any other city to produce news reports, documentaries, videos, films or social media content for professional purposes.
For personal visits to tourist destinations such as Murree and Abbottabad, journalists may also apply for an NOC, which the EP Wing says will be processed within three working days.
The guidelines require all foreign journalists working in Pakistan to register through the EP Wing’s online registration and accreditation portal. Pakistani journalists based abroad who contribute to international media must also apply through the portal while routing their applications via Pakistan’s diplomatic missions.
Production companies, media facilitators and non-journalists providing services to foreign media are also required to register with the EP Wing. The ministry clarified that registration provides professional recognition only and does not grant official status.
The policy introduces two categories of accreditation: annual permanent accreditation and temporary accreditation for visiting journalists, valid for up to three months. Accredited journalists will receive access to official government events and premises but must carry and present their accreditation cards whenever requested.
According to the ministry, registration cards are expected to be issued within seven working days, while accreditation cards may take four to six weeks after the submission of a complete application. The EP Wing may request additional documents before granting approval.
