# Pakistan has introduced new restrictions on foreign media, requiring journalists and contributors working for international news organisations to obtain government permission before reporting outside Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. Media freedom groups say the rules will make independent reporting more difficult and could delay coverage of major events. The government insists the measures are intended to improve coordination and verify media credentials, not restrict reporting. Pakistan ranks 153rd out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index, and journalist organisations are urging authorities to reconsider the new guidelines.
Pakistan restricts international media reporting