ISLAMABAD: India and Pakistan have agreed to resume postal and telecommunications services and restore issuance of visas and travel which were suspended in 1971. According to a joint communique issued this evening [Sept 14] at the end of three days of talks between the delegations of the two countries, they have also agreed to link multi-exchange areas of Bombay and Karachi by satellite circuits. … The two sides also agreed that the Civil Aviation delegations should meet to discuss the questions of overflights and resumption of air links.

They also decided that the representatives of the two countries would exchange visits to explore possibilities of trade and examine steps to promote exchanges in the field of science and culture. … In addition to the agreements on issuance of visa and travel, a protocol on group visits to religious shrines in ei­­­ther country was also signed. … It was appreciated that obstacles … encountered in the course of implementation of the Simla Agreement would be overcome through pati­ence … and the continued firm commitment of the two countries to the principles of peaceful coexistence [and] respect for each other’s territorial integrity. — Islamabad Bureau

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2024