Peace process: Pakistan, India to operationalise visa regime next week

Rehman Malik to meet Indian counterpart in New Delhi.

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and India will operationalise the landmark visa accord, signed in September, next week – a move that should help deliver tangible results of a nascent peace process between the arch rivals that had stalled following the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

After receiving an invitation from the Indian government, officials in Islamabad were optimistic that the ‘liberalised’ visa agreement would be operationalised during Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s visit to New Delhi on December 11-13.

“Yes, Rehman Malik is all set to fly on his Indian counterpart’s invitation,” confirmed a senior official of the interior ministry, adding that Malik was unavailable to make an official announcement due to ill health. After holding meetings with senior officials, Malik has decided to leave for India on Monday (December 10), the official added.

On Tuesday (December 4), India invited the Pakistani interior minister to formally operationalise the new visa regime – an agreement to ease visa restrictions to facilitate tourists and the business community in the region.

Officials involved in preparations for Malik’s visit to India told The Express Tribune that several crucial issues will be taken up during his three-day stay in New Delhi.



The new visa regime will be operationalised at an event being arranged by Malik’s Indian counterpart Sushil Kumar Shinde in New Delhi, officials added. Both ministers will also discuss security arrangements for the Pakistan cricket team’s tour to India in December and January.

The operationalisation will allow citizens of both countries to visit five cities, instead of the earlier limit of three. The business community will be able to receive visas without reporting to the police, while senior citizens (65 years of age and older) and children (below 12 years of age) will also be exempt from reporting to the police.

Malik and Shinde will also discuss threats from right-wing group Shiv Sena, which demanded the Indian government refrain from resuming cricket ties until Islamabad brings to justice the masterminds behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, said a senior official associated with Indian High Commission in Pakistan.

“Mr Shinde is likely to reiterate New Delhi’s demand to bring militants allegedly involved in the Mumbai attacks to justice in no time,” he said, adding that several key security issues will also be discussed during meetings.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2012.