The criticism followed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's (MOIB) announcement on Monday reminding foreign media organisations that reporting assignments outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi require prior government approval under the External Publicity Guidelines. In a statement posted on X, the rights body said the guidelines, "rather than facilitating journalism", would "risk deterring independent reporting on matters of public interest". In a press release, PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari said the notification amounted to "attacking the freedom of expression and putting curbs on press freedom". "A dangerous blow to press freedom":The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has fiercely condemned a new government notification restricting foreign and local international media journalists to major cities. Critics say the measures could restrict coverage of matters of public interest, particularly in regions where independent reporting has traditionally faced greater scrutiny.