Srinagar, August 19: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has raised serious concerns over what it described as an intensifying crackdown on media freedom in Pakistan, particularly in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), citing internet restrictions, arrests of journalists, limits on foreign media access and legal action against media professionals.
In a statement issued to Kashmir Convener, the international press freedom organisation said measures restricting media coverage had increased amid protests in PoJK over electoral reforms. It said the protests had been suppressed and followed by mass arrests, while authorities had also introduced measures affecting access to information and reporting from the region.
According to RSF, internet access in ‘Pakistan-administered Kashmir’ was suspended on June 5 and had only been partially restored. The organisation said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting blocked access to the Al Jazeera website on August 2, accusing the broadcaster of sensationalised coverage of the region.
RSF also referred to the Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, introduced on August 4. It said the guidelines require foreign correspondents, including Pakistani journalists working for international media organisations, to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to report from areas outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
The organisation said the guidelines also allow accreditation to be revoked on grounds including acts considered contrary to Pakistan’s ideology, sovereignty, security or public order.
RSF said two independent journalists, Razi Tahir and Muhammad Saif, who work for the YouTube channel The Independent Lens, had been detained in Islamabad since August 1 after covering a demonstration in support of the Kashmir protest movement. It said Tahir had also been arrested on June 23 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) before being released on bail on July 8.
The organisation also cited the July 29 summoning of freelance journalist Asad Ali Toor by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency under Section 26A of PECA, which deals with dissemination of “false information”.
Separately, RSF said journalist Munizae Jahangir left Aaj TV in July after 11 years hosting the programme Spotlight, alleging that external pressure had placed the channel’s management under strain.
RSF South Asia office head Célia Mercier called for the release of detained journalists, restoration of internet access in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, withdrawal of restrictions affecting foreign media and an end to what the organisation termed abusive legal proceedings.
Pakistan ranked 153rd among 180 countries in RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index, according to the organisation.
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