What to expect: New visa pact between India and Pak

External affairs minister SM Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar met today to discuss on wide range of issues including terrorism and new liberalised visa agreement between both the countries.

External affairs minister SM Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar met on Saturday to discuss on wide range of issues including terrorism and new liberalised visa agreement between both the countries.

HT Image

The new agreement will replace the old and tardy visa regime that was signed in 1974.

For the first time, India and Pakistan will introduce group tourist visas that will be issued to groups of 10-50 people who apply through tour operators, registered by the two governments.

The pact will benefit senior citizens and children as persons above 65 years and below 12 years will be issued visas on arrival at the border or airports.

It will also include multiple-city visas valid for an year for businessmen, who are currently allowed to visit only three cities.

Sources said media and artists were also expected to benefit from the new visa regime which was finalised during the discussions held over the past year.

(With inputs from PTI)