Visa-on-arrival granted to US, Iranian journalists: Atta Tarar

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has granted visa-on-arrival facilities for journalists from Iran and the United States covering the ongoing Islamabad Talks, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday.

Talking to the media in Islamabad, Tarar said that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had approved the visa facilitation as part of efforts to ensure wide international coverage of the high-stakes negotiations.

He said that journalists from across the world were arriving in Pakistan to cover the talks, with around 50 foreign reporters already in the country.

“Applications for media accreditation have also been received from journalists in China, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Germany, South Korea and several other countries,” he added.

Tarar said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had established a fully equipped, one-stop media facility at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad to support international journalists.

The facility includes high-speed internet connectivity, printers, computers and screens, enabling journalists to carry out their reporting duties efficiently, he said.

He said that the venue’s proximity to the Red Zone allows easy access for coverage of official engagements related to the talks.

“All necessary facilities have been provided under one roof to ensure journalists face no difficulties in coverage,” Tarar said, adding that media cards had already been issued to accredited reporters.

The minister welcomed foreign journalists arriving for coverage of the diplomatic process, describing Pakistan’s arrangements as aimed at ensuring transparency and smooth reporting of the negotiations.