巴基斯坦政府发布了《外国媒体及相关人员在巴基斯坦工作便利指南》[1]。根据该指南，巴基斯坦记者、自由职业者及与外国媒体相关的人员必须在外交部公关部注册并获得认证，方可在伊斯兰堡、拉合尔和卡拉奇三大城市外进行报道[1]。在这三个城市之外从事报道、拍摄或制作内容还需获得不反对证书（NOC）[1]。
这一政策在新闻自由倡导者和记者组织中引发强烈反弹[1]。人权组织指责该措施将"制度化官僚对新闻采集的控制"，国际记者委员会则认为其"为进一步限制外国记者打开大门"[1]。政府发布指南前不久，当局曾指责国际媒体对巴基斯坦控制的克什米尔地区冲突报道失实，包括对警察与被禁组织支持者冲突中死亡人数的错误报道[1]。政府声称这些新指南旨在为外国媒体提供透明的工作框架[1]。
Pakistan's government has introduced fresh directives governing foreign media activities in the country, titled Guidelines for the Facilitation of the Foreign Media and Their Associates Working in Pakistan.[1] The regulations require Pakistani journalists, freelancers, and individuals working with foreign media organizations to register and obtain certification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' public relations department before conducting reporting, photography, or content production outside the three major cities of Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi.[1] These activities in areas beyond the three metropolitan centers also require a No-Objection Certificate (NOC).[1]
The new framework has drawn sharp criticism from media freedom advocates and press organizations. Human rights groups contend that the measures will "institutionalize bureaucratic control over news gathering," while the International Committee for the Protection of Journalists warned the guidelines "open the door to further restrictions on foreign correspondents."[1] The government, however, has characterized the initiative as providing a transparent operational framework for international media in Pakistan.
The guidelines emerged shortly after authorities accused international media outlets of inaccurate coverage related to conflicts in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, including what the government claimed were erroneous reports on death tolls from clashes between police and supporters of banned organizations.[1]