Friday, January 14 2005 12:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan today (Jan 14, 2005) liberalisation of visa regime for businessmen from 28 countries except India, whose citizens working for the UN, World Bank and other international agencies will be extended such a facility after prior clearance.

Another concession was offered to facilitate Sikhs holding non-Indian passports to visit their sacred places in Pakistan and they would be granted entry visas by the missions after clearance with the link office. They would be issued visas for Lahore, Sheikhupura, Rawalpindi and Hassanabdal where the Sikh shrines are situated.

Pakistan Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao announced a "liberal business friendly visa policy" to allow businessmen from several countries, including the US and China, to get visa on arrival.

Businessmen and investors from 28 countries, mostly from European countries, America and China, will be given non-reporting 30-day visa at the airport, he told a press conference in Islamabad.

However, they will have to produce recommendation letter from Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the respective countries or invitation letter from business organisation duly recommended by concerned trade organisation in Pakistan or recommendatory letter by Investment Consular of the Board of Investment posted at missions abroad.

There were no separate relaxation for the Indians as a reciprocal gesture to India's recent announcement for liberalisation of visas for Pakistani journalists, persons above 65 years and below 12 years, businessmen, doctors and pre-cleared groups.

Indians working with the World Bank, ADB, IMF and the UN agencies would be granted visa by the respective Pakistani Ambassadors that too after clearance, Sherpao said.

He said in a second category, businessmen and investors from 21 countries will get multiple non-reporting visas for five years from the missions abroad within 24 hours, Again India did not figure in the list.

He said the relaxation was aimed at promoting trade and business activities and help attract investment in the country.

A different visa procedure has been announced for students. They will have to get clearance letter from their own Government and will get visa after due clearance from agencies in Pakistan.

This was aimed at curbing foreign students studying in Pakistan's madrasas without permission.

Under the new visa policy, certain strict measures have also been announced. No third country would be allowed to issue Pakistani visa, Sherpao said.