By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan's leading journalist organizations have strongly condemned new government regulations requiring foreign journalists and their local staff to seek official permission before traveling outside the country's three largest cities, warning the move represents a serious attack on press freedom.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Digital Media Alliance of Pakistan (DigiMAP) issued separate statements denouncing the "Guidelines for the Facilitation of the Foreign Media and Their Associates Working in Pakistan," which formalize reporting restrictions that rights groups say will institutionalize bureaucratic control over news gathering.

Under the new framework, all foreign media personnel must obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Information's External Publicity Wing before traveling to any city outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for reporting assignments.

The rules also require Pakistani journalists, freelancers, fixers, camera operators and others working "in any capacity" for international media organizations to register with the government.

PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari said in a joint statement that the notification "amounts to attacking the freedom of expression and putting curbs on press freedom".

"The government has not only banned foreign journalists from visiting most of the areas of Pakistan except major cities, but they have also restricted the movement of Pakistani media persons working with international media outlets. They are not allowed to visit these areas on their own either," the statement said.

"How can foreign correspondents and their Pakistani colleagues perform their professional duties after this notification?" the PFUJ leaders questioned.

- Damage to Pakistan's Image

The unions argued the restrictions would further damage Pakistan's already poor international standing on press freedom. Pakistan currently ranks 153rd out of 180 countries on the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index.

"Pakistan is already ranked very low among the countries that have the worst record in press freedom. And the action of the government would add to it," the PFUJ statement said.

The PFUJ warned that the move would also threaten the livelihoods of Pakistani journalists employed by international media outlets, noting they "would lose their jobs" if unable to fulfill their professional responsibilities by traveling freely.

"Such actions are taken in banana republics, not in countries that claim to follow democratic principles," the PFUJ leaders said, demanding the government "immediately lift this ban".

The Digital Media Alliance of Pakistan, led by President Sabookh Syed and Secretary General Adnan Amir, similarly condemned the notification as "a serious setback to press freedom, transparency, and Pakistan's democratic values".

"Journalists cannot effectively perform their professional duties if they are prevented from accessing areas where important developments take place," DigiMAP said in its statement. "Restricting media access damages public trust, discourages transparent reporting, and sends an unfortunate message to the international community".

The organization warned that the restrictions "could adversely affect the livelihoods of Pakistani journalists employed by international media outlets" and urged the government to withdraw the notification immediately.

The new guidelines have drawn condemnation from international press freedom organizations including the Committee to Protect Journalists, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the BBC, which said it was "extremely concerned" .

CPJ Afghanistan and Pakistan Representative Waliullah Rahmani described the measures as "yet another appalling blow to press freedom in Pakistan". The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said the requirement that journalists obtain state approval "sends a chilling message: that critical reporting is unwelcome".

- Government Defends Framework

The Ministry of Information has rejected criticism, saying the guidelines "are not intended to restrict foreign media or curtail press freedom" but rather provide "a clear, transparent and accountable framework" for registration and accreditation.

The ministry noted that travel clearance requirements have existed for years and the guidelines simply formalize existing procedures.

The restrictions come amid international scrutiny of Pakistan's media environment and follow government criticism of foreign coverage of recent protests and elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The PFUJ has warned it will "resort to protest and demonstrations" if its demands for withdrawal are not accepted