Islamabad: Pakistan has agreed to India's proposal to increase the staff strength of the Indian and Pakistan missions at New Delhi and Islamabad from the present 47 to 55 members, while India has given its consent to Pakistan's request for its experts to inspect Baglihar Hydro Electric Plant in Kashmir.

Confirming media reports, Indian High Commissioner to Islamabad Shiv Shankar Menon said Pakistan has formally conveyed its consent to increase the staff strength at both the High Commissions to 55 as suggested by New Delhi few weeks ago.

India has proposed to increase the strength in view of the growing demand for Indian visas, especially after the resumption of the bus services between the two countries.

The increasing rush, which amounted to over 200 visa applications a day stretched the sparely staffed Indian High Commission. Problems also arose as the visa section in Islamabad has virtually been winded up after Pakistan expelled almost all staff from this section early in 2003 during the tit-for-tat expulsions.

PTI