Pak journalist delegation arrives in Amritsar on two-day visit

A delegation of 23 Pakistani journalists arrived here on Monday.

The journalists, who are on a two-day visit to Amritsar, took a tour of the Integrated Check Post (ICP). They were apprised about the flow of traffic and the trade through this international border.

The journalists sought details of the trading and infrastructure facilities available on the Indian side of the border.

The Ministry of External Affairs has sponsored the program, and the delegation was received by officials from the ministry, including senior officials from Indian customs department.

The delegation is likely to visit the Jallianwala Bagh and the Golden Temple.

The journalists also took a tour of the Khanna Papers Mill, which is the largest paper producing factory in the region, and noted the mass scale production of paper by using recycled materials.

Amina Amir from Get TV stated that the visit is a learning experience for them, and added that both countries should realize the importance of trade to move forward.

The trade between India and Pakistan by road through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) Attari has reached approx 3200 crore rupees in 2012-13. With positive cross border visits and understanding, it seems to be on an upward trend.

The delegation was given a presentation at the ICP by the officials, and had interaction with leading businessmen who are engaged in business with Pakistan.

Rajdeep Uppal, a leading exporter from Amritsar, said that trade between the two countries should not only be a source of revenue generation, but it should also benefit the people.

Another journalist Rashid Obaid from Balochistan Times said that this visit will help in understanding the trade and commerce between India and Pakistan, and hoped to interact with the traders, businessmen, political leaders and journalists here.

While talking to ANI, Director Khanna Paper Mills, Suneet Kochhar, said that the mill has always valued its association with Pakistan as it exported its first ever Newsprint Consignment to Pakistan on May 3 last year.

"In any country, media has an important role in bridging the distances, being the eye and ear of the Nation. We hope that this visit will create more synergies between both the countries," Suneet said.

The delegation included print and electronic journalists from the Dawn, the Jung Group, Geo TV, Samna TV, Dunya TV among others.