India to resolve visa problems for Pakistani traders: Sharat

Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal has said that India was making efforts to resolve the visa problems for Pakistani business community and multiple visa for one year will be issued to businessmen, while more Visa facilities would also be provided to senior citizen.
Addressing members of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) on Wednesday, he said Pakistani business community had showed a positive response for promoting trade with India and Indian government also made strenuous efforts for increasing the bilateral trade volume from $2 billion to $10 billion plus adding to promote and expand trade activities with Pakistan, while all other matters settle through negotiations for peace as well as remove the poverty of both country.
He said that the multiple visas to the businessmen will be granted under visa liberalisation policy by the Indian High Commission. The draft of said visa policy is likely to be approved by Indian government, he added. He further said that at present the visas are granted under the 1974 visa policy of India. However, the frequent travellers visiting under business visa are exempted from the police reporting. He further clarified that impression of biasism in the visa process is baseless.
In this regard about 250 visas had been granted to the business community in near past intend to visit India Trade Show. While highlighting the MFN agreement signed between the both countries; he said, that by abolishing the trade barriers between the two countries the volume of bilateral trade will enhance forthwith. In this regard the post MFN agreement implications are under discussion between concerned authorities of both countries.
Sharat Sabharwal disclosed that a well-equipped check post worth Rs 1.5 billion had been established at the Pak-India border which will facilitate the bilateral trade between the countries. While responding to a question he appreciated the suggestion of establishing arbitration council between the two countries in order to resolve the trade disputes.
He said that the bilateral trade was on top of the agenda and Indian experts will help to overcome energy crisis and preparing report for establishing 500MW grid and energy units and utilisation of the coal reservoirs for producing energy. Indian and Pakistani business communities are willing to promote economic and trade relations with the idea of enhancing the volume of bilateral trade between the two neighbouring countries for peace and to end poverty," he added.
Sharat Sabharwal pointed out that a separate gate and other facilities were being established at the Wahgah/Atary border for handling of export cargo 12 hours daily. The establishment of a separate gate would also be provided hurdle-free transportation facilities at the border, he added.
Answering a question about non-tariff barrier, he said a team of Indian experts would visit Pakistan in near future to discuss certain issues with their Pakistan counterparts. There no restriction on Pakistani students for admission in Sarcc University Dehli, he clarified.
Presenting welcome address, FCCI President Muzzamal Sultan said the exchange of the trade delegation and participation of trade exhibitions of Pakistan businessmen would go a long way in creating better understanding between both neighbouring countries and will help create new areas of common interest for expanding bilateral trade.