Pakistan protests against India's refusal of SAARC facilities

Islamabad, Dec 27 (UNI) Pakistan has formally protested against the Indian government for its refusal to oblige distinguished Pakistanis with the SAARC visa sticker during their stay and free movement in India, a media report said.

SAARC had unanimously agreed on a visa sticker for distinguished nationals of member countries, allowing them a stay of one month and free movement for the designated categories of citizens.

The English-language daily 'The News' quoted diplomatic sources as saying that India's failure to honour the unanimous decision of SAARC would force Islamabad to put similar restrictions on Indian nationals without any further admonition.

''Pakistan has also communicated its protest to SAARC headquarters asking it to convey the same to New Delhi,'' said the paper, adding that the SAARC visa sticker-holders are being denied the facility on arrival in India without assigning any reason.

According to a consensus decision, ministers, governors, judges of superior courts, leaders of chambers of commerce and industries and diplomats and officials dealing with SAARC affairs are entitled to visit any of the SAARC countries with SAARC stickers and avail certain facilities.

In case of Pakistan and India which issue visas for a limited period to their citizens and its validity is restricted to specific cities and towns mentioned in the visa document, application of the SAARC decision has been disregarded.

The minimum limit of stay for SAARC sticker-holders has been fixed as one month and they are allowed to visit any of the places of their choice.

UNI XC LL VC1828