Religious parties show concerns

ISLAMABAD - Raising their concern over the steps for the formation of liberal visa agreement between India and Pakistan that would ease travel between the India and Pakistan, the religio-political forces termed it a measure to set aside the disputed issues between the two countries. Adopting such kind of confidence building measures (CBMs) between the two countries would be tantamount to dilute the attention towards major issues like Kashmir, Siachin Glacier and Sir Creek that need to be resolved on priority basis, said leaders of religio-political parties while talking to TheNation. It is relevant to note here that in an important confidence-building step, India and Pakistan had reportedly firmed up a draft of their bilateral visa agreement that will ease travel between the two countries. The two sides had reportedly finalised the draft text of the agreement, which will be submitted to the respective governments for obtaining necessary approvals in order to sign the agreement at an early date. Talking to TheNation, Jammat-e-Islami (JI) central leader Fareed Paracha said that there were lot of major issues including Kashmir, Siachin, Sir Creek that need to be resolved on priority basis. This liberal visa agreement, he said, could dilute the intensity of major issues that should be resolved. Important issues should be given priority as such issues could be reviewed later, he added. When contacted, Jumiat-Ulema Islam (Fazl) leader Maulana Amjad said that all possible measures should be taken to resolve the issue of Kashmir as it is most important matter. Before resolving other matter, the issue of Kashmir must be given priority, he added. Giving his opinion, Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) Chief Sahibzada Abu Al-Khair Zubair was of the view that it could be the facility for the travelers but the Pakistan government should have full check to avoid its misuse from Indian side. Misusing must be kept in mind from Indian side as terrorists, miscreants could enter into Pakistani soil by taking advantage of this liberal visa agreement, so there should be a proper check on it, he added. Commenting on Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khars statement that Pakistan has decided to grant the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, Abu Al-Khair Zubair said that such kind of statements and steps are taken just to appease America.

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