Pakistan introduces new restrictions on foreign media; makes NOC mandatory for reporting outside Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi

Pakistan has introduced new restrictions on foreign media personnel, making it mandatory for journalists working for international media organisations to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before travelling outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for news coverage. The guidelines, issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB), lay down a comprehensive framework for the registration, accreditation and movement of foreign media organisations and journalists operating in the country. According to Dawn, all foreign journalists, media professionals and other personnel already registered or accredited with the Ministry's…