18 December 2004	Saturday	05 Ziqa'ad 1425

LAHORE, Dec 17: Indian information secretary Naveen B Chawla has said the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) is moving ahead for introduction of free visa regime for accredited journalists of its member countries.

Talking to reporters at the Government College University on Friday, Mr Chawla, who declined to comment on Indo-Pakistan bilateral matters, said the visa issue would be discussed in the meetings of information ministers to be held in early 2005.

He said the exchange of mass communication experts, teachers and students of all member countries should also be discussed on the Saarc forum. Referring to the recently-held Saarc information minister meeting in Islamabad, Mr Chawla said that its 12-point agenda was agreed upon between them. He said they also raised issues like exchange of art and media fields personnel.