India, Pak should have flexible visa rules for Sufi shrine visitors: Ex- lawmaker

Hoshiarpur, Oct 28 (ANI): Former Pakistani senator Choudhary Muhammad Anwar Bhinder has said that both India and Pakistan must find ways to reduce paperwork related to the granting of visas to citizens of the two counties, especially those wanting to visit religious spots and shrine.

Bhinder who was visiting the shrine of Sufi saint Diwan Sahib in Hardothala village of Punjab's Hoshiarpur District said: "The procedure should be made easier. When we get our visas made, we have to first go to our Religious Affairs Ministry. From there we have to go to the Interior Ministry, then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The papers are then sent to India and after the Indian foreign office gives clearance we get our visas at the very last moment."

He said it was important for people of both nations to come closer to take the Indian subcontinent to greater heights globally.

"We need to come closer to each other. The people and the governments should try to remove obstacles that make travel between the two countries difficult," Bhinder added. (ANI)