Pakistan proposes visa facilitation in Hyderabad

The Pakistan High Commission is ready to send its officials to Hyderabad for visa facilitation and will make a request to the Indian government in this regard, said High Commissioner Salman Bashir.

Responding to the demand for setting up a visa office in Hyderabad, he said the high commission would submit a proposal to the government.

"I am aware that we require government of India's approval for visa facilitation. Whether the visa office comes up or not, at least our consulate teams can come and facilitate. We are ready to do this and we will make a request to the government of India," he said.

The Pakistani envoy was talking to reporters at the residence of Syed Vicaruddin, chief editor of Urdu daily Rehnuma-e-Deccan.

Vicaruddin stressed the need for visa facilitation as many families here have their relatives in Pakistan. He said this would benefit many people who are unable to travel to Delhi.

He pointed out that the Pak consulate teams used to visit Hyderabad for visa facilitation when Abdul Sattar was the high commissioner (1978-1982). Vicaruddin also called for introducing a weekly flight between Hyderabad and Karachi.

The Pakistani high commissioner met some eminent personalities at a lunch hosted by Vicaruddin.

Bashir, who is a on a two-day visit to Hyderabad, Sunday planted a tree at biodiversity park, the foundation stone of which was laid during the global biodiversity conference last year.

"We are not only showing our commitment to convention on biodiversity but also planting a tree of friendship. We hope to see these trees grow and under their shade people develop and prosper with peace," the envoy said.

On his first visit to any city in south India, he was impressed with the city's development, especially in the information technology sector.

"I am happy to be in this historic city. It has its own importance and reflects India's culture and civilization. People are civilized, peaceful and content," he said.

"Hyderabad symbolizes the best. We are proud of this city, its past glory and present development. It can serve as symbol of hope for the people of this region as a whole," Bashir said while referring to the talent and creativity of people of both India and Pakistan.

He called for more people-to-people interactions and the cooperation between educational institutions of the two countries. "We not only want more road, rail and air links but we also want visa complexities to be simplified," he added.