Indo-Pak talks on relaxed visa regime in May-June

New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI) Pakistan has proposed to India
two sets of dates - last week of May and first week of June -
for holding a meeting of the Joint Working Group to carry
forward the process of having a relaxed visa regime.
A communication from Pakistan, proposing the two sets
of dates, was received last week and a decision will be taken
by the government soon.
"We are examining which date will be feasible for us
to hold the meeting. We will take a decision on it soon and
accordingly convey it to Pakistan," an official said.
During the India-Pakistan Home Secretary-level talks
last month, both sides agreed to set up a Joint Working Group
to examine the modalities for streamlining the visa
procedure/modalities and for giving a final shape to revision
of the Bilateral Visa Agreement.
"The next meeting will carry forward the whole
process," the official said.
India is "positive" on liberalising the visa regime
with Pakistan to facilitate greater people-to-people contacts
between the two nations.
During the talks, sources, a proposal had been put
forth to relax norms for issuance of visa to journalists,
businessmen, senior citizens and patients travelling for
medical treatment.
Under the proposal, the visa issued for journalists,
businessmen, senior citizens or patients travelling for
treatment will not be city specific and visa holders would be
allowed to travel across the country, they said.
The Indian side had proposed to relax norms for people
who have a valid visa and want to travel again within the span
of two years by removing time-consuming security background
check process which is done from here.
The Indian High Commission in Pakistan will be
empowered to issue necessary permission to such travellers,
they said.