Pakistan restricts international media reporting outside main cities
Pakistan's government has instructed international media to register journalists and seek permission for any reporting outside the country's three main cities, sparking concern from rights and media groups over a threat to press freedom.
The information ministry sent a statement on Aug. 3 to an international media message group on the requirement to seek permission for reporting outside Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi.
Written guidelines published by the ministry stated all journalists working for international media, including freelance reporters, should register with the government's external media wing.
Organizations would then need to seek Non-Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the government for reporting outside the three cities.
