04 January 2004	Sunday	11 Ziqa'ad 1424

RAWALPINDI, Jan 3: Minister for Information and Media Development, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday said Pakistan supports the free movement of journalists in the South Asian region.

Addressing delegates of the Safma conference here, the minister said the leading media practitioners of the Saarc region should be allowed free movement across frontiers so that they can perform their professional duties without visas.

He said there should be a liberal multiple-entry five-year visa regime without police reporting and bureaucratic delays, for media persons who have 15 years of credible experience or accreditation since 1990.

He appreciated the initiative taken by South Asian Free Media Association (Safma), a representative mainstream media body of the region, for promotion of peace, understanding and cooperation in South Asia. He said the steps taken by Safma will help in conflict resolution and free flow of information.

The minister said Pakistan also supports the idea that citizens should be facilitated by all possible means for access to information. It also supports freedom of expression as recognised by the UN, as a fundamental human right, he added.

He said Pakistan calls for the formation of a special committee comprising foreign and interior secretaries of Saarc countries, which in consultation with media bodies, may find a suitable mechanism to facilitate the free movement of media practitioners, and development of a standard protocol, he added.

He said the media can play a vital role in bringing countries of South Asia together. He said journalists have vision and they can change the minds of people and create a conductive atmosphere in the region. The Minister said the Saarc grouping cannot make a headway on economic and social fronts without resolving political issues.

As far as Pakistan is concerned, the minister said the media is enjoying unprecedented freedom of expression.

"We have expanded electronic media and it is flourishing day by day. Many new channels have been established in the private sector and Pakistan Television has also started three channels during the last one year," he added.

He said Pakistan Television is also coming up with a new Direct to Home (DTH) service. "We are also planning to establish a package of 100 channels in future."

Two licences for DTH have already been issued by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, Sheikh Rashid added.-APP