End travel curbs, demand Pakistan, India journalists

Karachi: Journalists from India and Pakistan have demanded an end to restrictions on communications and travel between the two countries. The demand was made in a joint declaration by the Karachi Press Club (KPC) and the Mumbai Press Club at the end of a week-long visit by an Indian journalists` delegation to Pakistan Saturday, the Daily Times reported Sunday.

KPC president Imtiaz Khan Faran and Mumbai Press Club president Gurbir Singh signed the declaration. The declaration said the limit of allowing only two accredited journalists in the capitals of either country on a reciprocal basis was "irrational and restrictive". It said the severe travel restrictions imposed on journalists have made comprehensive and truthful reporting impossible. The Indian declaration called the restrictions imposed by both countries on distribution of print editions "archaic and restrictive", especially since internet editions were freely available throughout the globe.