The Government of Pakistan has decided that the Saarc visa, which entitled businessmen to travel freely among the seven Saarc member countries--Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will not be valid from January 1, 2007.
All such visas, issued earlier, stand cancelled, according to information available here on Friday. Saarc visas were issued to businessmen on the recommendation of Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Saarc-CCI). Holders of such a visas were exempted from acquiring regular visa from individual countries for travelling within Saarc countries.
The Saarc visa was issued in accordance with the protocol agreed among the ministers of Saarc states, which stated that Saarc-CCI could recommend grant of Saarc visa by the member countries.
Besides free travel among Saarc states, the biggest advantage, which the holder of this visa enjoyed, was that it exempted him/her from the hassles of reporting arrival and departure to the local police. Saarc visa was a non-police-reporting visa, allowing free movement in Saarc member states.
Needless to mention, in the case of India, regular visas are granted for specific destinations in the country and exit and entry points are mentioned, which the visitor has to follow strictly. If the entry is made from one station, exit has also to be made from the same point. The Saarc visa was a blanked (blanket) visa, with no restrictions whatsoever. Recently, film star Zeba was asked to leave Ajmer because she did not have endorsement on her visa.
Withdrawal of this facility has, no doubt, irked the members of business community who say that at a time when Pakistan and India are trying to bridge the gulf in their relations and are desirous of unhindered movement of goods and services between the two countries, the decision may prove counter-productive.
Indian government continues to exercise strict control over the issuance of visas to people desirous of visiting holy places and tourist spots in that country. Journalists particularly find it difficult to get visa from Indian High Commission in Islamabad. More often than not their cases are referred to New Delhi and, in majority of cases, their requests are turned down.
It is the general feeling here that why special consideration was shown to the members of business community in the shape of Saarc visa. Journalists, writers and academia would also want to travel and contribute towards confidence-building measures to help the governments overcome the mistrust syndrome.
Comments
Comments are closed.