Sinha offers ''admission'' to Pak students in SMVDU

Jammu, Apr 9 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha today called for hassle free travel for pilgrims and offered admission to the Pakistani students in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU).

The Governor also facilitated more people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan.

Lt Gen Sinha, while interacting with Pakistani Hindu pilgrims at Raj Bhawan here this morning after their return from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine said, ''The normalisation process has got new impetus with positive signals emanating from the new Pakistani leadership and hoped this will fructify in lasting peace and tranquility on the Sub-continent.'' However, positively responding to the demand of visiting pilgrims about sponsoring groups from Pakistan to pay obeisance at the Trikuta Hills cave shrine, Lt Gen Sinha also offered seats for Pakistani students in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.

Meanwhile, he referred to the deep yearning among Kashmiri Pandits to visit Sharada Peeth in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and said, ''I am optimistic that the aspirations of the people will get fulfilled one day.'' ''We are treading the right path. The people of India and Pakistan were bound by a unique old relationship despite being two nations now,'' the Governor said.

''I have observed in newspapers that some Pakistani leaders suggesting free visa between India and Pakistan,'' Lt Gen Sinha said adding that a decision in this regard would have to be taken by the two governments.

''Smoothening of the relations will open up new vistas for people-to-people contact and the day will not be far when more such groups will be coming to pay obeisance at the revered Dargah of Sheikh Moin-ud-Din Chisti at Ajmer and Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir,'' he added.

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