Signing of a New Liberal Visa Regime with Pakistan approved by the Indian Cabinet

The Union Cabinet on 26 April 2012 in a meeting headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the signing of a new liberal visa regime with Pakistan thereby paving way for easing travel restrictions and increasing people-to-people exchange. The Cabinet had given its approval to signing of the agreement that would allow common people from either country to visit at least three earmarked cities. India and Pakistan had decided to ease visa regulations during the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in New Delhi on 8 April 2012.

As per the cabinet’s directive, businessmen are likely to be issued multi-entry non-police reporting visas and given access to at least five cities instead of three at present. The credentials of the businessmen for qualifying for such a visa will however be endorsed by the nodal chambers of commerce on both sides. From India, it will be Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and from the Pakistani side, it will be Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
It was proposed under the new visa regime, that senior citizens would be exempt from police reporting on both sides.

Pakistan decided to allow bigger trucks and containers to carry goods into its territory. Earlier, only 10 wheeler capacity trucks were allowed. Post the easing of terms the number was increased to 22-wheeler capacity trucks. Also, it decided to allow containers with the opening of the new integrated check post (ICP) facility on the Attari-Wagah border. Pakistan’s initiative is likely to give a big boost to the trade between the two nations.