NEW DELHI, Nov 7: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik is likely to visit India on November 22-23 for operationalisation of the landmark Indo-Pak visa agreement.
This was indicated by Malik to Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde when they had met in Rome on the sidelines of the Interpol General Assembly.
During his visit, Rehman is also expected to visit Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
The new liberalised Indo-Pak visa pact replaces a 38-year-old restrictive visa agreement and paves the way for time-bound visa approval and greater people-to-people contact and trade.
The visa agreement, signed by then Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Malik in Islamabad on September 8, eases curbs on issuing visas to traders, elderly people, tourists, pilgrims, members of civil society and children.
Both the countries are also willing to operationalise the new visa regime before the upcoming Indo-Pak limited over cricket series beginning December 25.
While there was no time-frame for issuance of non-diplomatic visas, the new pact says visa has to be issued with a period of not exceeding 45 days of application.
Under the new regime, one can visit five places, instead of the three at present, and those above 65 years of age and children below 12 years of age and “eminent” businessmen are exempted from reporting to the police.
Under the category of visitor visa, earlier only single entry visa for three months was issued for meeting relatives, friends, business or other legitimate purpose. Moreover, visa could be issued for longer period not exceeding one year, depending on the nature of work or business.
Under the new pact, single entry visa is to be issued for six months but stay should not exceed three months at a time and for five places.
Under a new Category II, a visitor visa for a maximum five specified places may be issued for a longer period, up to two years with multiple entries to senior citizens (those above 65 years), spouses of a national of one country married to a person of another country and children below 12 years of age accompanying parents as given earlier.
The new Group Tourist visa will be issued for not less than 10 people and not more than 50 people. This visa will be valid for 30 days and will have to be applied through tour operators registered with the two governments. (PTI)
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