Media role crucial in promoting Pak-India relations: Kaira
20 October, 2012
LAHORE: Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Friday that the Pakistani and Indian media should play a significant role in creating an environment where governments of the two countries could take decisions in interest of both countries free of any pressure. Addressing the Pakistan-India Media Peace Conference, the minister said Pakistani and Indian governments have decided that they would not allow peace to be hijacked even if any serious incident happens. The conference was arranged by the Lahore Press Club in collaboration with Chandigarh Press Club and Press Club of India. Kaira said that both the nations have common enemies which are poverty and unemployment. He said that issues could never be resolved through wars. The minister urged media of both the countries to play a significant role in bringing the two governments closer and to create an environment where these governments could take care of the interest of their people. He also urged the Indian government to allow Pakistani channels to be aired in India, saying that Pakistan has already allowed Indian TV channels to air their programmes in Pakistan. He said that for the better relationship between the two countries, education and sports could play a vital role, adding that Pakistani students also want to study in India. He also suggested that Indian Premier League could also bring both nations closer. Replying to a question, he said that the visa issue of senior citizens would be resolved soon. "Sport activities should be promoted between the two countries to further ease tensions. Relations among countries develop through trade. The economy of both the countries is growing and we have to remove barriers like other countries," he added. PPP Secretary General and Leader of the House in Senate Jahangir Badr said that the wars, which India and Pakistan had fought, created many problems. "Peace between the two countries means peace in South Asia and peace in South Asia ultimately leads to global peace," he added. He said that the negative trade list would come to an end in December as an agreement had already been reached after which free trade would start. "The media can play a vital role in finding solutions to problems instead of discussing issues. Benazir Bhutto wanted to create South Asian Parliament like the European Parliament where solutions to problems could be found," he said. Press Club of India Secretary General Anil Anand said that both the countries should move forward as they could not afford to stay in history. He said that people and journalists of the two countries could help develop strong relations between the two countries. End.
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