Reporters Without Borders has condemned Pakistan’s escalating crackdown on journalists in PoK, citing internet shutdowns, arrests, media restrictions, legal action and restrictions on foreign reporters, while calling for the release of detained journalists and restoration of press freedom and access to information.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has strongly criticised Pakistan over what it described as an escalating crackdown on journalists and media professionals in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), calling for the immediate release of detained journalists and an end to restrictions that are increasingly limiting independent reporting in the region.
The international press freedom organisation expressed grave concern over a series of measures that it said were contributing to an alarming deterioration in press freedom. These include internet shutdowns, restrictions on online access, the blocking of international media outlets, arrests of journalists, court summons, travel restrictions affecting foreign reporters and legal proceedings against media professionals.
The criticism comes amid growing unrest in PoK, where protests demanding electoral reforms have reportedly faced a forceful response from Pakistani authorities, including mass arrests. RSF said that authorities have simultaneously intensified efforts to restrict media coverage of developments in the region, where the so-called legislative assembly elections were held on July 27.
Celia Mercier, Head of RSF’s South Asia desk, said the authorities appeared to have taken extensive measures to impose what she described as a “veritable information blackout” in the region.
According to RSF, internet shutdowns and restrictions on internet access, a rise in arrests, limitations on media professionals and prosecutions under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) demonstrate a serious deterioration in the environment for journalists.
RSF has called for the immediate release of detained journalists, the full restoration of internet access in PoK and the removal of restrictions imposed on foreign media professionals. The organisation also urged Pakistani authorities to end what it termed abusive legal proceedings and ensure the public’s right to access information.
The press freedom group also highlighted the blocking of the Al Jazeera website by Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on August 2. The ministry reportedly accused the international broadcaster of sensationalised reporting on developments in PoK.
Two days later, on August 4, the ministry introduced the “Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026”. RSF criticised the rules as “new draconian guidelines”, arguing that they impose additional barriers on journalists seeking to report from areas outside Pakistan’s major cities.
Under the guidelines, foreign correspondents, including Pakistani journalists employed by international media organisations, are required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to report from locations outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
RSF also raised concerns over provisions allowing the accreditation of media professionals to be revoked for broadly defined reasons, including alleged acts contrary to Pakistan’s ideology, sovereignty, security or public order. The organisation warned that such provisions could create uncertainty for journalists and increase pressure on independent reporting.
The press freedom group said restrictions on journalism extend beyond PoK. On July 29, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) reportedly summoned freelance journalist Asad Ali Toor under Section 26A of PECA, a provision concerning the dissemination of “false information”.
RSF further pointed to growing pressure on newsrooms across Pakistan. In July, journalist Munizae Jahangir, vice chair of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, reportedly left Aaj TV after 11 years of presenting the television programme Spotlight.
Jahangir told RSF that external pressure had placed the management under severe strain and described the situation facing journalists as particularly serious.
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The developments have intensified concerns among international press freedom advocates over restrictions on independent journalism in Pakistan. RSF’s latest appeal calls on authorities to protect journalists, restore access to information and ensure that media professionals can report without intimidation, arbitrary restrictions or legal pressure.
