Pakistan’s cabinet approves liberal visa accord with India
File photo shows Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet at the PM Secretariat.—Photo by Online
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Cabinet on Wednesday approved four agreements signed with neighbouring India, including a much-anticipated agreement on a liberalised visa regime aimed at promoting bilateral trade between the two countries.
The cabinet’s ratification Wednesday came more than a month and a half after the agreement’s initial signing on Sept 8, during then Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna’s visit to Pakistan.
The signing of the accord, which was ready in May, had initially been delayed because of Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s insistence on inking it at “the right time and at the appropriate level”.
The liberalised visa accord allows for issuance of visas to the elderly and children on arrival. It facilitates visas for group tourists and allows for issuance of multiple-entry visas to businesspeople.
The agreement is practically the first step towards easing the travel restrictions between the two countries since 1974, when the old visa regime came into force.
The federal cabinet had already given a nod to the pact before it was signed by officials from both countries.
A good news after a very long time, I hope both the government is able to follow through….
This is bad news for Indian Public as their safety and security will be in great Danger. Please we do not want Pakistanis in India as we all know what they do on Indian Soil
Not everyone’s like that
I congratulate both governments for their bold move. However this would not help elders of divided family of Sindh.
Hope everything runs smoothly. Knowing these two governments any thing can happen to put a damper on the issue.
The government should also be anxious of Indian stake holder on this regard and an eye should be kept on all those coming from India. This is aggressive in some way but in reality important for our protection and guys I am also in favour of improving are relationship with India but being vigilant because our friend does have some hatred element which should not be underestimated.
I think Indian Sikhs will benefit most from this as many of their holy shrines are located in Pakistan.
Bad things happen then good things happen and erase all the unpleasantness of the past. Then again, bad things happen and erase all the pleasant memories. Everything chanages, from an atom to a galaxy to a liberal visa accords.
Last time when I applied for visa to fly from canada to Pakistan, I nearly cried.good luck to
People of both countries .it will be business as usuall for incompetent and corrupt people.
I hope my negativity is just my paranoia.. aj
A step in the right direction.
that’s a good omen towards forging good relations with India.because without maintaining strong economic relations with India, Pakistan will not be able to develop itself economically.we can render the example of cooperation among European countries in the form of European union and cooperation among ASEAN countries.Similarly the success of SAARC will depend upon the shape of relations between India and Pakistan. Moreover,through economic cooperation both countries will be able to solve conflicts amicably.
Today the world is global village and any thing and every thing has economical compulsions. So step taken late but taken all right..!!
Let us hope people stop hating each other and there will be peace in the subcontinent
Good step even though there still are hawks on both sides of the border who would harm each other’s countries but the people with goodwill are far greater and these neighbors have to start somewhere. Perhaps if all the naysayers could provide a timeline for how much longer this cold war should continue.
that’s a good omen towards forging good relations with India.because with maintaining strong economic relations with India, Pakistan will not be able to develop itself economically.we can render the example of cooperation among European countries in the form of European union and cooperation among ASEAN countries.Similarly the success of SAARC will depend upon the shape of relations between India and Pakistan. Moreover,through economic cooperation both countries will be able to solve conflicts amicable.
It’s a start.
The visas should be issued without restrictions in order to enhance the understanding at individual level.
Rome was not built in a day.
it”s a shame that the divided families had to and still suffer because of the hostile status given to each other at the governmental level. Here also there is no mention of them. People to people contact shall facilitate other ties also. In Europe Union and between USA and Canada no visa is needed .
Hi Arif
I agree with the sprit of your comment but the past experience and the grass root level indoctrination that India is a enemy will have to be factored in when making such decisions.
Hopefully we will evolve to be better world citizens living in peace and mutual respect.
Great step forward for both countries and their people.