CHANDIGARH, Feb 20: Journalists from India and Pakistan today urged upon their respective Governments to introduce special visas for scribes, allowing them to travel freely in either country with minimum visa restrictions.
At a conference here, it was agreed between Lahore and Chandigarh Press Clubs that contact between the journalistic fraternity of the two neighbours must continue and regular exchange of media delegations must ensue.
The fifth Panj Darya Media Conference hosted by the Chandigarh Press Club here, in which 32 journalists from Pakistan under the banner of Lahore Press Club participated, appealed to both Governments to liberalise travel rules for journalists by issuing special visas and ensuring free flow of information and ideas between scribes of the two nations.
Both Press Clubs appealed to the Indian and Pakistani Governments to facilitate and encourage training for media personnel and journalism students.
Thirty-two journalists including three women scribes from Pakistan are currently on a visit to India.
Both the Press Clubs also passed a resolution at the conference, vowing to work towards strengthening relations between the two nations and also removing “misconceptions,” besides agreeing on exchange programmes for budding journalists.
Addressing the gathering, Lahore Press Club president Arshad Ansari said that the media has to play a “positive role” and ensure that friendly relations prevail between the two nations.
“We should put pressure on our Governments not to issue city-specific visas. Visas issued to journalists should be given for India and Pakistan and not limited to few cities. It should be for multiple days and scribes should also be permanently exempted from mandatory police reporting,” he said.
Both Ansari and Bajwa said that with the permission of respective Governments, the two Clubs would also like to sponsor young scribes to study in each other’s country, so that they learn about the ground realities and can convey the “true picture” to the people.
Ansari said that the Pakistani people were hospitable and warm and added that the people should explore the country more, as it has lot to offer.
“Contrary to the perception that the whole of Pakistan faces terrorism problem and security issues, I would like to say that to brand the entire country as some no-go zone, would grossly be incorrect and unfair,” Ansari said.
While commenting on the recent beheading of an Indian soldier along the LoC, Ansari termed the incident as “minor one” and said the media and Governments on either side should not highlight this much as it has negative fallout on the relations.
Ansari lamented that “though the two Governments announced visa on arrival policy for 65 year-old or above citizens, yet three months hence, it has not been implemented on ground”.
Haryana’s Finance minister HS Chatha, who was the chief guest on the occasion, emotionally recalled his childhood days spent in Pakistan and termed these as his “best days”.
Chatha also said that people from Punjab on both sides of the border, speak the same language and have close resemblances.
“Despite so many commonalities, there are some vested elements who try to create obstacles in the peace process and media can play a crucial role to keep the people updated about the real picture,” he added. (AGENCIES)
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