PoK newspapers to share information: An initiative for peace

By NewsGram Staff Writer

New Delhi: Around 12 newspapers from both sides of Kashmir will share news and views through the Internet; the decision being one of its kind.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during a meeting which included 29 journalists and newspaper owners. The news that would be exchanged during this meeting would essentially include apolitical content. The aforesaid meeting had taken place in Islamabad.

"We will have a news pool first for joint use of content. A MoU will be signed later to have regular coverage," said Shujaat Bukhari, editor of the Srinagar-based Rising Kashmir, as quoted in The Hindu.

Such an interaction is first of its kind, where journalists from both the sides of Kashmir will be interacting on a common ground after a period of 70 years. The arrangement would also result in garnering direct information, said Ejaz Abbasi, president of the PoK-based Kashmir Journalist forum, as quoted in the leading daily.

The PoK government has decided to back the initiative. "We welcome any measure aimed at connecting the divided parts of Jammu and Kashmir," said PoK Prime Minister Chaudhury Abdul Majid, a leader of the Pakistan People Party, reported in the daily.