TNI Bureau: Indian government has decided to issue VISA to Pakistan senior citizens as part of the new Bilateral India Pakistan Visa Agreement 2012, which will come into effect from today. The move came amidst the tension between two countries after two Indian soldiers were brutally killed at LoC by Pak troops on January 8.
As per the Bilateral India Pakistan Visa Agreement 2012, the senior citizens of Pakistan will be issued VISA at Wagah Border today. The citizens above the age of 65 years holding the passport will be given VISA for 45 days. As per the agreement, they will not be required to report to the police, can roam anywhere in India except Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Kerala. They can stay 45 days. They can enter and exit India via Wagah Border on foot.
The VISA will be issued daily between 10 am to 4 pm. A senior citizen can get Visa only twice a year and it cannot be extendable and convertible. To avail Visa, the senior citizens will have to fill a form, submit a copy of their identity proof, passport, two passport size photographs, confirmation of hotel booking or the address of the person to whom they will visit in India. The visa will cost only Rs 100.
The bilateral agreement came into effect when the diplomatic tie between both India and Pakistan is in trouble after two Indian soldiers were mutilated by Pak troops. Even India’s Army Chief General Bikram Singh sent out a strong note at a press conference that Indian will retaliate if provoked by Pakistan.