KARACHI, Nov 24: Journalists from both sides of the border should try to influence their governments to solve issues. Whenever relations are strained between India and Pakistan, journalists should stay on course and demand peace. The media should refrain from one-sided reporting and break stereotypes. These were some of the thoughts that were articulated by Indian and Pakistani journalists at a seminar titled ‘Pak-India relations: What the media can do’ at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Sunday.

At the first stopover of the second day of their visit, the 14 visiting members of The Press Club, Mumbai, were visibly thrilled to be at the KPC, with several getting their photographs taken next to the blue, grey and white artwork by the legendary Picasso of India, M F Husain, painted on the wall of the conference room inside the press club.

The seminar started off with Amir Zia, editor of The News, discussing at length the steps that have been initiated in Pakistan by media groups, development of broader consensus within political parties and change within the military establishment to improve relations with India. “When the Jang Group and the Times of India came together for Aman Ki Asha, both were criticised heavily and suspected of an agenda. But there was no agenda except that media groups came together in an organised platform to encourage peace initiatives between the two countries.”

Pertaining to broader consensus within political parties, Mr Zia pointed that the previous Pakistan Peoples Party-led government made all-out efforts for normalisation of Pak-India relations and these were being continued by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led current government. “However, Nawaz Sharif’s efforts seem to be premature since India is busy gearing for its upcoming elections and no one in India is ready to listen.”

He added that there had been a sea-change in the military establishment’s thinking vis-à-vis India and this happened during former dictator Musharraf’s time when he put a broad ban on militant groups that were accused of inciting violence in India-held Kashmir.

Jyoti Punwani, a freelance Indian journalist, preferred to look inward and hold the media responsible for perpetuating stereotypes. “Two generations have grown up in India since the partition yet Pakistan has always been portrayed as a dushman mulk (enemy state), this stereotype remains unchanged. We have a history of wars which is a reality but another reality that needs to be discussed in the media is that we have similar culture, religion and values. Why can’t we make this into news? Stories emerging from these can be turned into sensational pieces and appear on the front page.”

Giving the example of Ajmal Kasab, she questioned members of her fraternity about bringing forth a one-dimensional picture of Kasab and not writing about his circumstances. Another pertinent example Ms Punwani discussed was LoC violations which she felt that the Indian media reported one-sidedly and never questioned the Indian military establishment about LoC violations from their side.

The seminar was not restricted to speeches only but journalists also regaled the packed hall with verses and poems written especially for the occasion. Journalist Fazil Jamili must be specially mentioned for his lovely poem titled ‘Sarhadain’.

Towards the end of the seminar, Gurbir Singh, the president of The Press Club Mumbai, discussed their delegation’s visa experience among several other issues. “The last press delegation from India almost didn’t get visas but this time it was a breeze. And this is because this time round the Pakistan High Commission was helpful and did not create any unnecessary obstacles. The high commissioner Salman Bashir also took a personal interest in the matter. Bureaucrats are also beginning to understand that people-to-people contacts between the two countries are important and they need to be facilitated.”

As the seminar winded up, members of both press clubs exchanged gifts that included Sindhi topi from Pakistan’s side and books from the Indian side.