Tuesday, May 3 2005 18:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Several Indian newspapers have sought Pakistan Government's permission for publishing their editions from Islamabad and Karachi as part of confidence-building measures, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said today (May 3, 2005).

Managements of "several" Indian newspapers have sent applications to President Pervez Musharraf seeking permission to launch their newspapers in Pakistan as a confidence building measure, he was quoted as saying in the media in Islamabad.

He, however, did not say anything about Pakistan Government's likely response.

Ahmed's comments made in connection with the World Press Freedom Day were significant as Pakistan was yet to officially remove the ban on Indian news and entertainment channels, which was explained as a measure to protect the fledgling Pakistani channels from direct competition.

Currently only correspondents from PTI and 'The Hindu' newspaper are permitted to function from Islamabad under strict travel restrictions. Correspondents of Pakistan's state-run APP news agency and Radio Pakistan are based in New Delhi on reciprocal basis.