Tuesday, April 12 2005 14:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Two weeks after India opened the Wagah border for walk-in visas for Pakistani citizens aged above 65 and below 12, not a single person has so far utilised it, with the Indian officials in Islamabad saying that the poor response was due to Pakistani officials turning away many visa seekers from crossing the border.

"Our inquiries have revealed that the number of Pakistanis above 65 years who wanted to avail the scheme have been turned away by Pakistan immigration officials on their side. We are deeply concerned about this," a senior Indian diplomat in Islamabad said. Pakistani officials were not available for comment.

India unilaterally announced during the Foreign Secretaries level talks in Islamabad in February this year (2005) that it would begin issuing visas on arrival for Pakistani citizens above 65 years and below 12 years.

Consequently India has formally began issuing the visas from April 1. Not a single visa has been issued under the category so far.

Contrary to perceptions, the scheme drew good response from Pakistan, the diplomat said adding that inquiries by the Indian officials at the Wagah revealed that over 20 persons above 65 years approached Pakistan side of the Wagah border but were turned away by Pakistani immigration officials who said that they had no instructions to permit them to cross.

India considers the scheme a unique one as this was for the first time that such an offer was given to citizens of any country and in fact India was toying with the idea of extending the age limit for children.

Indian officials say they have taken up the issue with Pakistan officials and a definite stand was expected to be taken either ahead of or during the forthcoming visit President Pervez Musharraf to New Delhi.