Pakistani authorities on August 5, 2026, imposed rules requiring anyone working for international media to obtain advance permission before reporting from most of the country.
The only exemptions are Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. All other locations in Pakistan fall under the permission requirement, which applies to Pakistani nationals employed by foreign outlets as well as foreign journalists themselves, BBC News and The Guardian reported.
The Guardian said the rules were introduced shortly after dozens of protesters were killed, with news of those deaths reaching the public only through overseas media outlets. Journalist organizations have responded with significant backlash to the new restrictions, the outlet said.