08 February 2004	Sunday	16 Zilhaj 1424

MIRPUR, Feb 7: The British High Commission in Islamabad will restore the visa service for all categories of the intending deserving Pakistanis including those hailing from Azad Kashmir willing to visit or for permanent settlement, from May this year.

This was revealed by the chief executive of the Immigration Advisory Service United Kingdom (IASUK) Keith Best in an interview before returning to Britain after a week-long visit to Pakistan and Azad Kashmir on Friday.

Heading three-member delegation of the IASUK, Director of Operations Michael Pickett and Regional Manager East Anglia Samina Kausar, Keith Best visited Immigration Advisory Service of Pakistan office in Mirpur, and attended the receptions hosted by the local community leaders including former vice-president of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chaudhry Mohammad Saeed. The delegation also called on the British High Commissioner in Pakistan Mark Lyll Grant and other top officials of immigration and visa section of the BHC, Keith told the news agency.

Mr Best said that with mounting amiable ties, marked by unique friendship over the years, Britain has decided to set off a fabulous style of disseminating visas to Pakistanis by restoring the unrestricted provisions via its High Commission in Islamabad with effect from May next this year.

He said that all types of restrictions shall stand evaporated both for those desirous of making a short or precise visit or for making UK as a permanent abode.

"There shall be no restrictions whatsoever, after May, Keith Best said, recalling the embargoes which were imposed in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy.

IASUK chief said that his organization, being an NGO, is desirous of mitigating the entire problems of the Pakistanis including those hailing from Azad Kashmir intending to visit or for permanent settlement in UK with the required guidance and advice under the prevalent British immigration rules atop.

Such facilities, he said, are out to be hazard free. Referring to his delegation's meeting with the British Envoy in Pakistan Mark Lyll Grant and other BHC officials, Keith said the package is being set in motion for all categories of the intending visitors and permanent settlers from Pakistan including AJK to UK from May next.

Mr Best lauded the services rendered by the people of Azad Kashmir, especially who belonged to Mirpur, for the United Kingdom in diverse fields.

He said that people should be motivated to eschew trailing the illegitimate agents who fleece the innocent people - one way or the other. -APP