LAHORE: As part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to facilitate the trade process, Indian visa regime has been liberalised and our office is assuring all possible help to the Pakistani community, said Deputy High Commissioner of India J P Singh on Friday.

During a visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the India high commissioner stressed that his country prioritised improving trade relations with Saarc states and is taking all possible steps in this regard.

Mr Singh mentioned that fast track visa processing system is being offered by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

LCCI Senior Vice President Almas Hyder said Pakistan and India were major partners of Saarc and had great responsibility to maintain peace in the region.

Mr Hyder emphasised on separating trade with politics and to encourage more people-to-people contact to improve the deteriorating trade volume between two countries.

He said Pakistani businessmen should be facilitated by Indian High Commission in terms of provision of timely visas on relaxed terms and conditions.

LCCI members proposed the Indian High Commission in Pakistan should relax visa regime and liberalise visa process by granting two to three years multiple entry visas to bonafide Pakistani businessmen.

It was proposed the visa processing time of 45 day should be reduced to facilitate the business community. LCCI Vice President Nasir Saeed was also present at the meeting.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2016