ISLAMABAD: The arrival of a delegation of 12 journalists from Indian-held Kashmir has provided people with the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of life on either side of the Line of Control (LoC).
The delegation, consisting of journalists from Srinagar, participated in the ‘Intra-Kashmir Journalist Workshop’ organised by the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) and the Centre for Peace, Development and Reforms (CPDR), at the Islamabad Club on Friday.
Through the workshop, journalists aimed to increase person-to-person contact and ensure a steady flow of information from either side of the LoC for the many families separated by the de facto border.
During the workshop, 29 journalists were divided into four groups in order to discuss and resolve issues. Participants agreed on 12 points aiming to increase interaction between people in either part of Kashmir.
Participants also nominated a four-person content sharing group, consisting of Rashid Maqbool, Hakeem Irfan, Khalid Gardezi and Samar Abbas, to remain in contact with media houses operating on either side of the border.
In addition, a 15-person working committee was also formed that would ensure continued interaction between residents in both parts of Kashmir.
The committee members include Shujaat Bukhari, Ershad Mahmud, Abid Khurshid, Abid Sidique, Shehzad Rathore, Altaf Hamid Rao, Athar Masood Wani, Amina Amir, Asif Raza Mir, Iftikhar Gillani, Mehmood Rashid, Tariq Ali Mir, Pirzada Ashiq, Farooq Javed Khan, and Shahana Butt.
The participants also stated that news on both sides of the border would be shared by media houses, and that a joint social media group would be established.
They said that they would aim to hold similar workshops and conferences bi-annually.
It was also decided that joint training programmes for journalists from both parts of Kashmir would be set up, and that a digital library for news from Kashmir would be established. Participants also stated their commitment to the circulation of newspapers on both sides of the LoC.
Participants also unanimously agreed to publish a bi-annual online and print newsletter, and set up awards for reporters on both sides of the LoC.
A directory of journalists from Kashmir will also be issued.
Shujaat Bukhari, who led the team of journalists from Srinagar, commended the discussion, calling it an opportunity to understand the issues facing Kashmiris on either side of the LoC.
Kashmir Journalist Forum President, Ejaz Abbasi, said that this was the first time in 70 years that journalists from Kashmir were able to interact.
“We used to hear stories about the other side of the LoC, but now we have the opportunity to get direct information. I also want to travel to the other side of the LoC and interact with the people,” he said.
KIIR head Sardar Amjad Yousuf said that the process of interaction must not stop.
CPDR head Ershad Mahmud told Dawn that right now, one-sided stories are being published on either side of the LoC.
“Now, with this interaction of journalists, we will be able to exchange information. Hopefully Pakistani journalists will also be able to travel to the other side of the LoC,” he said.
The delegation met with the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Khursheed Shah, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majid, and senators Sherry Rehman and Mushahid Hussain Syed.
The journalists have been visiting media houses and will also visit Punjab University, Lahore, before leaving for India.
Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2015
