Why Escalating Crackdown on PoK Journos

August 22, 2026

As unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) deepens, a leading international press freedom organisation called on the Pakistani authorities to release detained journalists and end the sweeping crackdown on media professionals in the occupied territory.

Internet outages, the blocking of international media outlet Al Jazeera, the arrest of journalists, travel restrictions imposed on foreign reporters, court summons, and attacks on press freedom are increasing at an alarming rate.

Protests calling for electoral reform in PoK have been violently suppressed by Pakistani authorities resulting in mass arrests. At the same time, in recent weeks, the authorities have also stepped up measures to restrict media coverage of the region, where the so-called ‘legislative assembly elections’ were held from July 27.

Criticising the escalating crackdown in PoK. The authorities appear to have done everything in their power to impose a veritable information blackout in the region.

The “internet shutdown and restrictions on internet access, the surge in arrests and restrictions on access for media professionals”, as well as prosecutions under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

RSF called for the immediate release of detained journalists, full restoration of internet access in PoK, lifting of new restrictions targeting foreign media journalists, an end to abusive legal proceedings and the guarantee of the right to information.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting blocked access to the Al Jazeera website on August 2, accusing the media outlet of sensationalised news coverage of the region.

Just two days later, the ministry introduced ‘Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026’, which RSF described as “new draconian guidelines”. Under the new guidelines, foreign correspondents – including Pakistani journalists working for international media outlets – are required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to cover news outside the cities of Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi.

The guidelines also stipulate that media professionals may have their accreditation revoked for vague reasons such as “acts contrary to Pakistan’s ideology, sovereignty, security, or public order”.