Exchanges on Kashmir
Two renowned journalists, representing both print and electronic media, Syed Talat Hussain, ARY’s Bureau Chief and Ms. Mariana Baabar, reporter The News, shared their views and experiences in a session at IPS on November 8 after returning from Indian held Kashmir. They were part of the 18-member group of Pakistani journalists who visited Jammu and Kashmir in October 2004 under South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) program “Journalists Exchange Across Kashmir”.
Mariana shared her impression on the visit of the Jammu and Kashmir University and martyrs’ graveyard. She witnessed life, business and ‘siege’ simultaneously. She dwelt on the many U-turns in the Kashmir policy of both India and Pakistan, the plight of refugees and locally displaced people and prospects for the resolution of the dispute.
Syed Talat Hussain focused more on the perspective. Identifying four political trends: pro-India, pro-Pakistan, pro-independence and pro-maximum-autonomy in the State he analyzed the views and strategy of various leaders, political parties and the role of the armed struggle. He described Indian policy as ‘holding’ and that of Pakistan as ‘molding.’
The two presentations were followed by a question-answer session and concluding remarks by the Chairman, Senator Prof. Khurshid Ahmad.
Mariana shared her impression on the visit of the Jammu and Kashmir University and martyrs’ graveyard. She witnessed life, business and ‘siege’ simultaneously. She dwelt on the many U-turns in the Kashmir policy of both India and Pakistan, the plight of refugees and locally displaced people and prospects for the resolution of the dispute.
Syed Talat Hussain focused more on the perspective. Identifying four political trends: pro-India, pro-Pakistan, pro-independence and pro-maximum-autonomy in the State he analyzed the views and strategy of various leaders, political parties and the role of the armed struggle. He described Indian policy as ‘holding’ and that of Pakistan as ‘molding.’
The two presentations were followed by a question-answer session and concluding remarks by the Chairman, Senator Prof. Khurshid Ahmad.
