KARACHI, July 18: Poverty, violence against journalists, threat to freedom of expression and democratic institutions are some of the issues being faced both by Pakistan and Bangladesh, therefore could form the basis for a minimum cooperative programme to make the region secured for all.

These views were expressed by journalists at a reception held at the Karachi Press Club in the honour of an eight-member media delegation from Bangladesh who arrived here on Wednesday from Dhaka on a weeklong visit to Pakistan.

The delegation is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of the federal government and is also scheduled to visit Islamabad and Lahore.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Harunur Rasheed and Taslima Miji said that in both the countries media was playing an important role for institutionalising democracy, elimination of corruption and preservation of press freedom.

Other members of the delegation were Farzana Yasmeen, Fahmida Ahmad, Rafiqul Islam Azad, Imtiaz Ahmad Rumee and Syed Waliul Alam.

Earlier, PFUJ Secretary-General Mazhar Abbas, Karachi Press Club president Sabihuddin Ghausi and KUJ president Shamim-ur-Rehman welcoming the delegation recalled history of the joint struggle under the leadership of K.G. Mustafa against dictatorial rule and for the freedom of press before the creation of Bangladesh.

They were of the view that as compared to the Zia regime, media in the country enjoyed far greater freedom today but the new trend of violence against journalists had set in and during the last year 10 journalists were killed. This trend was visible in tribal areas where journalists were being victimised by agencies and militants for reporting events.

KPC Secretary Imtiaz Khan Faran introduced the delegates and presented them with a booklet on the press club.