ISLAMABAD: By the end of day one of the foreign secretary-level talks between Pakistan and India in Islamabad, the two countries have decided on eight different categories for visas, geo.tv reported on Friday.
The visa categories include diplomatic, non-diplomatic, 36-hour transit visit, tourist, civil society, media and business.
The delegates met at the Foreign Office in Islamabad to discuss the visa regime.
According to the geo.tv report, the tourist visa will be limited to five destinations and will be valid for a period of six months, while the diplomatic visa category will offer visas to the consular, the consular mission and their family members.
The new Pakistan-India visa issuance policy is expected to be signed on Saturday.
Visas for cricket fans?
Pakistan's cricket chief on Friday urged the visiting Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna to ensure fans would get visas so they can see the first series between the two countries in five years.
India has invited Pakistan to play three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games in December-January.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said its chairman Zaka Ashraf met Krishna in Islamabad to discuss travel arrangements for the series.
"Ashraf requested Krishna for the support of the Indian government to facilitate in the issuance of Indian visas for the Pakistani fans wanting to watch the Pakistan-India series this year," a PCB press release said.
Stable, prosperous Pakistan
Indian Minister for External Affairs SM Krishna said on Friday that India wants to see Pakistan as a stable and prosperous state, Radio Pakistan reported.
Responding to questions, Krishna said a positive change is visible in Pakistan-India relations.
“The two countries are heading in a right direction,” he said, reminding that all issues cannot be resolved at once.
Commenting on the issues of Siachen‚ Sir Creek and trade between the two countries‚ Krishna said India and Pakistan are moving forward in a gradual manner.
He assured that the dialogues held between the foreign secretaries of the two countries were positive.
Zardari for substantive results in Pak-India talks
President Asif Ali Zardari met Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Friday and assured him that Pakistan has abiding interest in the promotion of regional peace and stability that would enable people of the region to exploit opportunities available in South Asia, said a press release.
The president said that finding amicable and just solutions to resolve outstanding issues was important for both Pakistan and India.
According to Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar, the president emphasised that it was time for the two countries to move beyond reiteration of their positions to more substantive results and show greater understanding of each others’ concerns and sensitivities.
President Zardari said that multifaceted cooperation between the two countries was imperative for the socio-economic development of the people and to cope with the common challenge of terrorism, and that terrorism was a common enemy afflicting both the countries.
Indian External Affairs Minister said that his country desired good relations with Pakistan and wanted to work together in coping with the common challenges and issues.
Krishna calls Ashraf
Krishna also called on Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and discussed bilateral relations. They exchanged views on continuation of peace process between the two countries.
The Indian Minister for External Affairs had arrived in Pakistan early on Friday for a three-day visit to review progress on bilateral relations on all the issues.
He was received at the Chaklala Air Base by officials of Foreign Office, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Salman Bashir and other high officials.
Formal bilateral talks between Krishna and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar are due to be held on Saturday.
“India is committed to rebuilding its relations with South Asian nuclear-armed rival Pakistan through dialogue,” Krishna had said.
“We are committed to finding solutions to all issues that have beset our relationships, through bilateral dialogue,” Krishna had told reporters after arriving in Islamabad.
“I bring a message of goodwill from India to the people of Pakistan. I wish to reiterate the desire of India to see a stable and prosper Pakistan living in peace,” Krishna had said.
His visit comes after substantive progress has already been made on the trade and commerce front between Pakistan and India, and could lay the groundwork for an even higher-level visit: that of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Prior to his departure from India, SM Krishna, in an interview to The Express Tribune, had stressed that India wants Islamabad as a strong and stable “partner” – and pointed out that Pakistan’s geographical location puts it in an ideal position to be a bridge between South and Central Asia.
COMMENTS (55)
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Iam pakistani but i love india
Did anyone notice this ?
Most Pakistanis are rejoicing over these visa changes while Indians are feeling bad about this !
Pakistan and india should move into r8 direction, sports and film industries could bridge ths gap.
@casim: Is Hate one side? Is Hate loaded heaving in favor of one side?
@Lala Gee: Did Pakistan make any promised to the Kashmir'is and the World Community?
casim - you shouldnt even be in the saichen area - it was given to you buy the wonderful nehru - you shd learn to be grateful
@What D Fiqh: @Bharat: We already know it very well that India is definitely and strongly interfering in Balochistan's and Gilgit Baltistan's internal matters by any easily available possible means and manifestations.You don't need to give any comments on these issues......
@Rajesh: "There are four parts of Kashmir. 1. Pakistan occupied Kashmir 2. Kashmir valley 3. Jammu 4. Laddakh. The people of Jammu and Laddakh want to integrate with India. The 800000 Kashmiri Pandits who have been thrown out of Kashmir valley also want to integrate with India. Therefore, it is Kashmir valley and POK which is the issue and which cannot be resolved without the presence of 4 parties – Kashmir valley Muslims, Kashmiri Pandits, India and Pakistan" I respect your these words against my words but would you like to explain that why don't you give the Kashmiri people their basic plebiscite's right to declare/announce it openly before the world under the UN peacekeeping force voluntarily without Indian troops' pressure forcefully???? And as far as your POK's issue is concerned that keep it in your mind and clear your this misconception that Pakistani forces are only deployed on LoC to stop only Indian troops' invasion and Azad Kashmir's internal and constitutional matters are dealt by the Azad Kashmir's own government without Pakistan's government's interference......
@Concern1:
India fully supports the freedom of the innocent Baluchi people who have seen a genocide committed by the Pakistan Army.
Every Indian has a moral duty to support the Baluch freedom struggle.
I wish all the best for Pakistan. Having said that, these initiatives such as visa and other relaxation is going to come back and haunt India in the future. When there were all sorts of restrictions in place, 8 or 10 terrorists managed to sneak into Mumbai and cause death and destruction. Obviously, India did not learn a thing from that. Now, it wants to make it even easier for the next 'Mumbai' experience.
Liberalizing transit visa is very important. One can travel to Lahore via Delhi, and pay less than going through Gulf stations.
@Hammad: By trying to poke fun at the minister of your "enemy" country....You're indirectly maligning the name of your own Foreign minister who is hailed among your media as the shining example of woman empowerment in your country....
But what actually puzzled me is how the moderators allowed this comment to get published..
Not very long ago, even ten years back, such a visit would have been the talk of the town in India. Somehow the visiting Chinese defence minister got a lot more attention than this visit of SM Krishna to Pakistan. It is now very clear to anyone who cares to observe, most Indians are now firmly focussed on China and how to take this vital relationship ie India & China, forward, as it could well be the defining relationship of the century for the whole world & for the two countries concerned ie India & China.
@casim: Pakistan can have friendly relation with India if it wants. India is not changing its policy on Kashmir, Siachin, Sircreek and so forth. If there is a talk, the pakistanis think all these are going to be turned over to them. You can take that pot off the stove. None of it is happening.
@Bharat: Yes indeed because Kashmir issue is Pakistan concern & India should stop suppling arms to terrorist in Baluchistan
@Karim Buksh: There is space for humor in this society.
@moonjely sony: "is there any security guard of Mumtaz qadri,s calibre in his security team?
" Are you suggesting that he should be assassinated? ET Mods: How can you let such hate speech through?
@Hammad:
Hammad - if you are only capable of making cheap shots instead of any meaningful comments then you should keep your lewd thoughts to yourself. They reflect more on you than anyone else and the fact that 29 people, all men I bet, have recommended your comments suggests just how problematic men's attitudes towards women in public and social life are.
@casim: You started the Taliban to find a base in Afghanistan so that the Indians would not be there. You are paranoid.
@Bob: You do not read Bob, its Indian High Commissioner.
There are more important issues than Kashmir, at least to the vast majority of the 1.8 billion people of the of the the Sub-Continent.
Meanwhile there is peace & prosperity in Kashmir with booming tourism (2 million tourists expected this year!!)
Your country is "going down the tubes" in front of your own eyes. First set your house in order & than worry about your dispute with your neighbour
Mr Krishna you are barking upon a wrong tree. Ms. Hina Khar is only FM by name. Foreign and Security are handled by the establishment. So whatever she says or does is of zero value.
That is the way to get forward, both India Pakistan.
Pathetic, PPP is simply selling our interests, there is no talk on Kashmir, there is no talk on water treaty violations. Pathetic PPP
I don't understand all these talks what they gonna accomplish? jack all, most indians and Pakistanis have no interest in this. Time and again we go down this way and time and again we go back to square one.
@HumanityFirstAllahSecond: Islam does not teaches you hatred against non-believers but to pity them and when you pity someone, you try to bring good to him and not hate him.
Kashmir has become a non-issue now. No matter what people say, the LoC is now the international border and anyone who believes otherwise is deluded.
@Richard Clarke: because the FM is from INDIA not UGANDA, so obviously I'll talk about the issues related to INDIA !!! You Indians just like to pass crude remarks, nothing constructive to talk about.
@HumanityFirstAllahSecond: Bemused to read your comment, stop putting your words in my mouth when I didn't say anything related to non-believers! This is how you Indians come here to incite hatred & provoke us Pakistanis. you lack the intellect & better go to your own countries news website:) @Tony Singh: you need to work over your hatred towards Pakistan then talk to me about REAL issues, we are done talking with extremist Hindus unleashed on Pakistani news websites whose sole agenda is to incite hatred :)
@M.Ahmer Ali:- "shall be successful if provided that burning and core “Kashmir” issue is not discussed and resolved on priority basis as soon as possible without wasting any more time and money on the useless peace talks" - There are four parts of Kashmir. 1. Pakistan occupied Kashmir 2. Kashmir valley 3. Jammu 4. Laddakh. The people of Jammu and Laddakh want to integrate with India. The 800000 Kashmiri Pandits who have been thrown out of Kashmir valley also want to integrate with India. Therefore, it is Kashmir valley and POK which is the issue and which cannot be resolved without the presence of 4 parties - Kashmir valley Muslims, Kashmiri Pandits, India and Pakistan
@Lala Gee: Pakistan's priority should be to get back some honor from the rest of the world.
@casim: Your whole world view is India..India...
“India is committed to rebuilding its relations with South Asian nuclear-armed rival Pakistan through dialogue,” Krishna said.
I doubt India FM uses the word South Asian nuclear -armed rival Pakistan ..
The phrase used by India office is "south Asian neighbors or in case of Pakistan just, Pakistan".
@Lala Gee "Pakistan want India to honor her promises made to Kashmiri people and to the rest of the world." Yes ..that is Kashmir is part of India and all of Kashmiris who feel they are part of Pakistan fee free to cross the border. Drones are awaiting there. Kashmiri Pandits are awaiting to enter the valley.
@M.Ahmer Ali You seems to be talking on behalf of Pakistan...BDW you also need to remember that India will talk about Pakistan when it feels it is right because she thinks its her own territory. Even if you feel the talk is a failure it should not matter much to India.
@M.Ahmer Ali:
The only burning issues are Karachi, Balochistan, Southern Punjab, Gilgit Baltistan .... Douse those flames first.
Welcome to Pakistan. Hope this leads to a new peaceful beginning.
Messages (of goodwill) is perhaps all he has. Sir, we need resolution of disputes not just goodwill. Pakistan want India to honor her promises made to Kashmiri people and to the rest of the world.
India is not our rival, it is our neighbour! At least Mr Krishna could have used better language, the word rival already denotes the kind of mindset both parties have of each other and its not a good one. we must see each other as neighbours and not rivals.
@casim: Wise guy ask yourself who is responsible for this. Read Ayaz Amir's article in today's "The News International - The time lost" to have a better perspective. These shallow comments will not help.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: The CAT is dead long ago. We should accept the fact gracefully my dear brother.
Hope Core issues like terrorism from pakistan will be taken as top priority :)
@M.Ahmer Ali:
Kashmis is no issue
The only issue is Baluchistan
Let's keep our fingers cross and hope for the best.
Sooner or later the cat will come out from the bag.
S.M.Karishna is always most welcome here but keep it in your minds firmly Indians that his this 3-day official tour only shall be successful if provided that burning and core "Kashmir" issue is not discussed and resolved on priority basis as soon as possible without wasting any more time and money on the useless peace talks,fashion shows and photo sessions between Pakistan-India any where in the world......
is there any security guard of Mumtaz qadri,s calibre in his security team?
Keeping Pakistani delegation tradition when thay come to India,, should not SM Krishna first meet Balochi nationalists and then TTP commanders before meeting Khar and other officials?
the agreement on Siachen has been agreed for quiet a while now but India is not signing the deal, how can you expect good relations without resolving key issues & depend solely on people to people contact? because one incident in India & all this people to people contact thing will be thrown out of the window! it was sad to see India bring politics & hate into the sports/cricket by refusing to play with Pakistan anywhere except in the ICC tournament & banning them from IPL, just to explain my point that whose against the peace process :) Hate is not the solution my dear Indian friends :)
Why British high commissioner?
He will be strengthening ties with Ms Khar only :)