04 October 2004	Monday	18 Shaban 1425

NEW DELHI, Oct 3: A 15-member delegation of Pakistani journalists on Sunday crossed over to India via Wagah border on their way to first-ever visit to the occupied Kashmir.

"This is for the first time after the gap of 57 years that the government of India has agreed to the visit of Pakistani journalists to Jammu and Kashmir", leader of the Pakistani delegation and Secretary General South Asia Free Media Association Imtiaz Alam said after crossing Wagah.

He said: "We do have plans to visit Srinagar, Anantnag and all troubled areas of the valley and in this regard, Indian government has already granted permission to us to move in the valley and interact with the locals to have a first hand experience of their plight," according to a news report received here.

Mr Alam said: "Today, we are heading for Jammu where we are supposed to meet the various Muslims and non-Muslim organizations besides having an interactive session with the Jammu based journalists".

Meanwhile, welcoming the visit of Pakistani journalists to IHK, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said such interactions would help in "reducing distances and create the right atmosphere" for improving bilateral ties. -APP