Kashmir urges CM to help get him passport to visit Italy

Chandigarh, July 29 (UNI) Kashmir Singh today urged Punjab Government to take up his case with Centre to enable him to visit his daughter in Italy who was less than three year old when he was arrested by Pakistan authorities about 35 years ago.

Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia promised Mr Singh, who was released from Pakistan Jail in March this year after 35 years, that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would take up this issue with Union External Affairs Minister.

Mr Singh told the minister that he was facing problem in getting Passport to visit his daughter in Italy and the R.P.O Jalandhar has conveyed his inability to issue him passport as he had not completed one year stay in India.

The minister assured him that all efforts would be made to get the waiver of the condition.

Earlier, in a function organised here today, Mr. Majithia handed over Rs 5 lakh collected for the family of Kashmir Singh by various NRIs.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Majithia said that the release of Kashmir Singh by Pakistan Government was symbolic of beginning of new era of better ties between two neighbouring countries, putting the bitter memories of past behind.

He said that with the opening of trade route with Pakistan through road via Attari Border, Pakistan Government was importing vegetables from Punjab to control the rates of vegetables there.

Similarly, India imported Cement from Pakistan through road route, stabilising the Cement prices in India.

UNI XC JN MMS1740