New Delhi: Former Pakistan cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan is being allowed to visit Jammu and Kashmir and "stay as long as he wants to" and meet anyone he wishes to.

Khan's request made to External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh during the course of the 'Hindustan Times Leadership Initiative conference' in New Delhi was accepted.

Addressing the conference today (Nov 6, 2004), Singh said Khan had stated he was finding it difficult to get a visa for travelling to Jammu and Kashmir.

Singh said he had told Khan to complete the necessary formalities after which he was free to go to Kashmir and stay as long as he wants. "He can meet anyone he wants to," he said adding, "We will have no objections."

A group of Pakistani journalists had last month visited Jammu and Kashmir as part of a delegation of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA).

As part of steps to improve bilateral ties, New Delhi has been strongly advocating enhanced people-to-people contacts and announced unilateral measures easing visa restrictions for Pakistani nationals.