Pakistan-India set for CBMs by cinema, TV
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and India are likely to move towards joint ventures in cinema and television sector after the successful cricket diplomacy as a part of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to facilitate the resolution of bilateral issues, well-placed sources told The Nation March 22.
The two nuclear South Asian states are currently engaged in peace process aimed at resolving Kashmir and other issues that have bedeviled their bilateral relations for more than 50 years.
Both the nations initiated the composite dialogue process last month in Islamabad and the two foreign secretaries would now meet again in May Or June this year to hold talks on Kashmir as well as peace and security.
However, the two governments had realized by now that in order to resolve the conflicting issues there must be a congenial atmosphere and for that increased interaction between the people of two countries was a major prerequisite, sources said.
Both Islamabad and New Delhi had made it clear that the current cricket series was a part of CBMs and they were happy over the results in terms of creating favourable environment by bringing the two nations close to each other, sources said.
They said that after the successful experiment of cricket diplomacy Pakistan and India would now move towards strong and vibrant media of cinema and TV. Thus, the people to people interactions that began with the cricket ties, would move towards joint movies production and TV drama
A senior government official said the private sectors of the two countries were already functional on this front and both the governments had decided to encourage the bilateral cinema and TV ties.
Some top Pakistani and Indian film makers had visited the two capitals in recent months and discussed the prospects of joint film making. As a result of governments’ support to these efforts some joint movie projects would be launched in near future, he said.
He said cinema and TV were the media links that could help a lot to increase confidence between Pakistan and India but it was now up to the governments and relevant ministries to decide the guidelines for joint movie and drama productions.
Officials said apart from that both the governments would be sorting out other important matters such as access to locations for shooting, film studios and laboratories in Pakistan and India.
Source: The Nation
Date:3/24/2004
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