Altaf, Nirmala for easing Indo-Pakistan Travel Facilities
Pakistan Times Foreign Desk Report

KARACHI: Human rights activist and member Rajya Sabha of India, Nirmala Deshpande and chief of Muttehada Quami Movement [MQM] Altaf Hussain have jointly appealed to their respective governments to ease travel facilities and exempt senior citizens of over 60 years of age from visa restrictions.

They made the appeal at their formal meeting in New Delhi on Monday, stressing that such a step would promote people to people contract between the two neighbourly countries, according to a message received here.

The Indian leader, who met Altaf Hussein at his hotel, emphasised the need to strengthen ties with Pakistan. Mrs Deshpande recalled that she had demanded on the floor of the house that the two countries should reduce their armies. India should take the lead, as this would help build confidence.

Good Omen

Extending Altaf Hussain a warm welcome, she described his visit as a “good omen” and hoped it would be be harbinger of an enduring peace between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Altaf Hussain said that friendship between the two countries on a permanent basis would help resolve the basic problems of their peoples.

Kokhrapar Route

Altaf Hussain during telephone talk with special cell members in Karachi disclosed that the Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh with whom he had a detailed meeting two days ago, had assured him that visa facilities would soon be made available in Karachi.

Natwar Singh said that India was ready to open Kokhrapar route and was even ready to complete the remaining portions of railway track on the Pakistani side of the border.●