Safma moot from November 20

South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) is holding a conference on the topic of "Media and Reconciliation in South Asia" here on November 20 & 21.
Over 200 journalists from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and European countries will attend this conference. A 60-member delegation of journalists from Indian occupied Kashmir will also attend this conference. Later they will visit Azad Kashmir.
Imtiaz Alam Secretary General Safma told newsmen here on Tuesday that there would be four sessions in this conference. In inaugural session, Najam Sethi Editor Daily Times will speak on "Reconciliation Processes in South Asia". In the second session, various journalists will address on "Independence of Media after 9/11". Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri will also give his views on the theme of the conference in another session on November 21.
During this conference, election of the secretary general of the Safma will also be held. Senator Mushahid Hussain, Opposition leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan will also address the conference.
Earlier, members of Safma exchanged views on recent visit of Pakistani journalists to Indian occupied Kashmir.
Responding to various questions Imtiaz Alam said that Indian occupied Kashmir issue has various dimensions that must be kept in view while seeking its solution. He said that round of talks must be initiated between the people of both India and Kashmir.
He was of the view that open discussion initiated by General Pervez Musharraf on this issue is a significant development. He said that breakthrough is expected by introducing Muzaffarabad-Srinagar Bus Service. He was of the view that business activities could be flourished if Jammu-Amritsar route is opened via Sialkot.
Imtiaz Alam also apprised the media men regarding salient features of joint declaration issued after the recently held Safma moot in New Delhi. The conference called for normalising relations between India and Pakistan and addressing the Indian occupied Kashmir issue with vigour.
There was a consensus in the moot that Kashmir interests and aspirations needed to be addressed by both governments.