December 10, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 15, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 9: The British government will introduce further relaxation in its visa policy for Pakistanis to entertain the increasing number of visa applicants.

The announcement to this effect will be made by the British minister of state for trade, investment, foreign and commonwealth affairs, Mike O’Brien, at a press conference here on Wednesday, said a British High Commission press release on Tuesday.

According to sources, during his meetings with the Pakistani authorities here, the visiting minister will be requested to raise with the British authorities the issue of refusal of visas to genuine Pakistani businessmen.

These businessmen were facing problems in getting visas for making interaction with their British counterparts.

The minister will also be briefed on the areas where the British businessmen can invest, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Mr O’Brien met with the federal minister for interior and narcotics, Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, here on Tuesday.

The visiting British minister expressed his government’s confidence in the improving security conditions in Pakistan, and said it would help attract foreign investment.

According to an official announcement, during the meeting, issues of bilateral interest, including security matters, came under discussion with particular reference to the problems, needs and requirements of the Pakistani community in the UK.

The interior minister said Britain and Pakistan historically shared many common features. He urged the British minister to use his good offices to encourage and promote UK investment in Pakistan.

He said security conditions in Pakistan were improving and resumption of British Airways flights was a manifestation of the growing trust of international community in Pakistan’s current leadership.

Talking about Afghan refugees, the interior minister said there were more than three million refugees all over Pakistan.

“We want them to go back. But, they are reluctant, mainly because of the internal instability within Afghanistan. A peaceful and stable Afghanistan suits us best,” he said.

British High Commissioner to Pakistan Mark Lyall Grant and Tom Phillips, director at the foreign and commonwealth office, were also present during the meeting.