Pakistan makes NOC Mandatory for Foreign Media reporting outside Major Cities

The five-page policy, issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s External Publicity (EP) Wing, significantly expands government oversight of foreign media operations in the country. Under new guidelines, every Pakistan-based journalist working for a foreign media outlet must register through the EP Wing’s online portal. In a major policy shift, the government has made registration compulsory not only for journalists but also for freelancers, sponsors, media professionals, media owners, production houses, and companies facilitating foreign media work. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for official reporting outside Pakistan’s three major cities. Registered or accredited foreign media personnel will now need prior EP Wing approval before conducting official reporting, documentaries, films, or social media productions anywhere outside Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi.