Cricket may be a casualty between India and Pakistan but media diplomacy is on. Pakistan invited Indian journalists lead by one Naveen Garewal, made them stay at a posh hotel in Lahore, floated lunches and dinners hosted by top politicians and then there was a declaration by the journalists from both sides. It asks for interaction amongst journalists from both sides and ‘training’ on both soils too.
Garewal took 27 Indian journalists to Pakistan on October 7. All stayed at a 4 star hotel in Lahore. They had lunch with the speaker of Pakistani Punjab’s assembly and dinner with the law minister. Discussions and interaction were “very useful” as a member of the delegation described. Their hospitality was at it’s best says another. Mumbai attack and Indian media’s reaction to it was discussed at length almost on every occasion. Indian journalists were made to understand that Indian media did not behave in a mature way over the incident. It made it bit difficult for bringing both countries closer was the Pakistan’s perception. Garewal underlined the need of “help build bridges between people of two nations through their writings and news coverage”. At no point of time the visiting contingent defended Indian media or put the Indian perspective right. No such mention in the joint declaration at least.
Declaration was signed at Lahore Press Club. Garewal signed on it in his capacity as the President of Chandigarh press Club. It appealed “both the governments to liberalize travel rules for media persons and ensure free flow of information and ideas between journalists from India and Pakistan.” Declaration also desired training for media personnel and the young generation of journalists at each others soil.
Now it’s the turn for reciprocation. A group of journalists from Pakistan is visiting India on Mr. Garewal’s invitation next month. People, reportedly, are being approached to make their stay comfortable during their stay in India. The entire expenses from the border onward were borne by the other side. Sources unwilling to be identified say that it was neither the Lahore press club, any media house, any journalist in his personal capacity or even the government who sponsored or paid for the 5 days lavish stay of Indian contingent in Pakistan. Indians themselves did not pay too. Who then paid is a mystery. ISI was every where… Doing it’s job.
