Indian envoy to Pak calls for early inking of 'agreed' visa deal

Karachi, June 5 (ANI): Expressing disappointment over a holdup in the signing of a liberalised business visa regime agreement, India's High Commissioner to Pakistan has said that both Pakistan and India are keen on building new trade bridges.

High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal, addressing a business meet in Karachi, said both Pakistan and India had, in principle, agreed upon the terms and conditions of the said visa regime accord.

"We have an agreed revised visa agreement-agreed to by the two interior ministries-which provides for very liberalised provisions for businessmen, amongst others. It's our hope that it will be signed soon," The News quoted Sabharwal, as saying.

"India believes that the negative trade list will be phased out by December this year as New Delhi has decided to allow direct investment in Pakistan," Sabharwal said, adding that India wants to build a relationship of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation with Pakistan.

He said decisions like the opening of the Munabao-Khokharapar route for trade would contribute significantly to the economy of the region, besides giving freight advantage to both countries.

He added that India and Pakistan should target 12 billion dollars trade within the next five years.

Sabharwal said growing trade and economic linkages between the two countries would enhance mutual trust and further enlarge constituencies for peace in India and Pakistan, besides contributing to economic progress and well-being of people on both sides. (ANI)