Restraint on language by Karachi, Mumbai media

Mumbai: In an effort to end hatred and suspicion and ease the visa regime between India and Pakistan, the Press Clubs of Karachi and Mumbai have signed an agreement for cooperation and mutual exchange.

In a joint declaration signed by the office-bearers of the two clubs during the visit of a media delegation from Mumbai to Karachi, the two organisations called for control and restraint on language used by journalists in covering developments.

During the seven-day long visit, the Indian delegation observed that the general feeling among various sections like the media, businessmen, shopkeepers and the man on the street was that it is high time the two neighbours began normalising their relationships, said team co-ordinator Jatin Desai.

Dr Masuma Hasan, Chairperson of Pakistan Institute of International Affairs, too, remarked, "Our observation is that people in general are fed up with the long strife between the two countries and everyone wants an atmosphere of goodwill and cooperation so that all of us can live in peace and contribute to the growth of the region."

The visit was the result of a joint initiative by the Karachi Press Club and Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research. Mumbai's media delegates and Press Club Chairman, Prakash Akolkar, who visited Karachi and Hyderabad in Sind, said they were overwhelmed by the rousing reception they received everywhere — right from Karachi airport.

Akolkar said: "We speak the same language, our eating habits are the same, our clothes do not differ much and if there is anything that separates us is the border."

Karachi Press Club President Tahir Hassan Khan was of the view that no one can now stop the media initiative from moving forward which would immensely help in establishing people-to-people contact.

"Let politicians and bureaucrats fight; we must come together to work for peace and growth of our nations."