Visa rules eased for some Pakistani categories

All these individuals have been exempted from police reporting and will be entitled to multiple-entry visas of up to one year duration. They will also not need city-specific visas and may travel anywhere in India except certain specified areas, a euphemism for Kashmir and beyond the Inner Line in the North-East region. For the latter, all foreigners in any case need special permission.

The unilateral step is in keeping with India’s determination to normalise relations with Pakistan and is expected to be followed by more such initiatives. These are expected to include an easing of the trade regime, cooperation against western nations at the WTO andsupport for Pakistan’s establishment in dealing with the Y2K problem.

Highly-placed officials in the Ministry of External Affairs pointed out that the Government had also decided to ignore critical public statements made by Islamabad against India and instead watch how Pakistan responded to India’s initiatives in public.

"You will note that we have not reacted to any critical statements by Islamabad. This is because we believe that the Government must be given time and credit to deal with its own hawkish establishment," the sources said.

Thursday’s initiative focuses on high-profile persons, such as members of the national cricket and hockey teams, with the caveat that these sportspersons will be on a tour of India.

Besides, Pakistan Supreme Court and high court judges, attorney-general, solicitor-general, chairperson of the Supreme Court Bar Association, members of the national assembly and the senate, leaders and deputy leaders of provincial assemblies as well as leaders of Opposition of these statelegislatures figure in the list.

Vice-chancellors of recognised/approved universities comprise one category and secretaries/secretary-rank officers of the Central Government of Pakistan another.

All spouses and their dependent children in the above categories, including sons up to 18 years of age and unmarried daughters (no age-limit) are included. It is not clear whether married sons of 18 years and below will be allowed to avail of New Delhi’s generosity.

For group travel too significant allowances have been made. In this case, only tour operators will have to report at the police station at each destination to which they travel within India. The individuals will now be spared this tedious process.

There is some criticism that the liberalised travel regime does not go far enough and is in fact restricted to too few a people to have an impact on people-to-people relations. Ministry sources, however, say that they would like to move slowly rather than open up to a flood of people which they may laterregret.