Thawing Indo-Pak relations: Efforts taken to liberalise visa regime

High Commissioner Sabharwal emphasises on bilateral trade.

SUKKUR:

India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal has said that efforts are underway to liberalise the 1974 visa regime with Pakistan, especially for the business community.

“Both sides are working towards a consensus and are half-way there,” Sabharwal told journalists on Tuesday during a visit to the historical Sadh Bello temple in Sukkur. He added that he had met with members of the chamber of commerce and industry in Sukkur, adding that India was the biggest importer of dates from Pakistan and bilateral trade should be increased.

Sabharwal said he was impressed with the upkeep of places of worship for minorities in Pakistan, and with the 4,500-year-old Indus Valley Civilization, the ruins of which lie in Sindh.

According to the Indian diplomat, Hindu and Sikh pilgrims were properly facilitated on their pilgrimages to holy sites in Pakistan. He added that India’s Lok Sabha speaker had also visited the famous Sufi shrine, Data Darbar, in Lahore during her recent trip.

Earlier, on his arrival at Sadh Bello, the Sukkur Hindu Panchayat president, Eshwar Lal, and a large number of Hindu notables gave the high commissioner a warm welcome. Deputy Commissioner Sumair Ahmed Syed was also present on the occasion.

Earlier in the day, Sabharwal visited Garhi Khuda Bux followed by Moenjodaro.

According to reports, relatives of fishermen Akbar Mallah and Mazhar Mallah met with the high commissioner during his visit to Moenjodaro and requested him to make efforts for the release of both fishermen, who have been languishing in Indian jails for the last 16 years. The high commissioner assured them of early action.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2012.