India and Pakistan took a major step forward to strengthen bilateral ties by signing the much-awaited new liberalised visa agreement to boost people-to-people contacts.
The agreement was signed by External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna and Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik in Islamabad this evening after Krishna's talks with his Pak counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar.
In a goodwill gesture to mark S M Krishna's visit, Pakistan
President Asif Ali Zardari ordered the immediate release of all remaining 271 Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said this includes all those who have completed their jail terms and those who are still serving.
The two sides signed an MOU in the field of culture between Indian Council of Cultural Relations and Pakistan National Council of Arts.
In their crucial talks earlier, S M Krishna Hina Rabbani Khar reviewed the second round of resumed dialogue with issues like terrorism to be on top of the agenda.
The one-to-one meeting between Krishna and Khar was followed by delegation-level talks between the two sides.
Indian officials had said terrorism formed the focus of New Delhi's discussions, particularly the slow pace of the Mumbai attack case trial in Pakistan.
The highlights of the new visa regime include exemption from Police reporting, longer stay and visa on arrival for senior citizens, 30 day specific time limit for issuing visa, introduction of pilgrim and business visas.
No police reporting will be required for those above sixty-five years of age, children below twelve years of age and Eminent Businessmen. Single entry Visitor visa will be issued for 5 places instead of the present 3 places for a maximum period 6 months.
The stay should not to exceed 3 months at a time. But, a new category has been introduced. Vistors of senior citizens and Spouse of a national of one country married to person of another can stay for a longer period up to two years with multiple entries.
To promote business activities between the two countries, businessmen with annual income of 5 lakh Pakistani rupees or a sale turn over of three million Pakistani rupees or equivalent will be given one year business visa, with five places for up to four entries.
If they have a higher income of 5 million Pakistani rupees or sale turn over of 30 million or equivalent, then they will be given one year multiple entry business visas for upto ten places, with exemption from Police Reporting.
To encourage group tourism, Visa will be provided for not less than 10 people and not more than 50 people, valid for 30 days-organised by approved tour operators. This will be be available to students as well.
Another new provision – Pilgrim visa – will be issued to Pilgrims intending to visit religious shrines as per the 1974 Protocol. These visas will be issued for a single entry, restricted to 15 days validity and non-extendable.
Transit visa will now be issued for 36 hours. The duration was 72 hours earlier.
