India open to liberalise visa regime with Pak

New Delhi, Sept 28: Even as Pakistan clarified that it had not included India in the list of 24 countries in its 'visa on arrival' scheme, New Delhi today said it had already given a detailed proposal to Islamabad for liberalising the bilateral Visa Protocol of 1974 but was still waiting for a response.

Responding to a question on Pakistan's reported move to issue 'visa on arrival' to tourists from India and 23 other countries, a spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry said India had already notified a 'Visa on Arrival' scheme for Paksistani nationals above 65 years and below 12 years of age at Wagah/Attari.

''India has also given a detailed proposal for liberalising the bilateral Visa Protocol of 1974 and awaits Pakistan's response to it,'' the spokesman added.

The spokesman however, said India welcomed all proposals for liberalising the visa regime between the two countries Meanwhile, reports from Islamabad said India was not included in the list of 24 countries for whom visa on arrival had been announced.

Pakistani media had quoted the country's Tourism Minister Nilofar Bakhtiar as saying yesterday that Indian tourists would also be able to collect visas on arrival at Pakistani airports.

The Pakistani Tourism Ministry, while issuing a clarification today, said the Minister was ''misquoted'' and the only concession to Indian tourists and pilgrims would be an increase in the duration of their visas.

UNI

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