Pakistan introduces travel permits for foreign journalists

Pakistan has introduced new rules requiring foreign journalists to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) before travelling outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for work, under a new registration and accreditation framework for international media.

According to the 2026 Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines, all foreign media personnel accredited by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's (MOIB) External Publicity (EP) Wing must secure a mandatory NOC before travelling to other cities to produce news reports, documentaries, videos, films or social media content, Caliber.Az reports, citing Dawn.

For leisure trips to Abbottabad and Murree, journalists may also apply for a NOC, which the EP Wing is expected to issue within three working days.

The guidelines apply to foreign print, broadcast and digital media, including web-based and social media platforms. They also require registration of foreign media organisations, Pakistani journalists contributing to overseas outlets, freelancers, fixers, production companies and other individuals or entities providing services to international media.

All journalists working with foreign media must register through the EP Wing's online portal. Pakistani journalists living abroad must submit their applications through the same portal and simultaneously forward them via the nearest Pakistani diplomatic mission.

The guidelines state that registration provides professional recognition but does not confer official status and must be supported by a recommendation from the applicant's media organisation.

The system provides for two types of press accreditation: permanent accreditation, issued annually, and temporary accreditation for visiting journalists, valid for up to three months.

Accredited journalists will receive access to official media events and government premises but will be required to present their accreditation cards upon request. Registration cards are expected to be issued within seven working days, while accreditation cards may take four to six weeks. The ministry may request additional information or documentation during the application process.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov