We fully agree with his views that of late the High Commission of Pakistan in Dhaka has become too much selective in issuing visa to the common applicants. In most cases they are disappointed, as visas are not issued to them despite having valid travel documents.

It is strange that this should be the case when India and Pakistan are showing positive attitude in developing people to people contact and family and friends reunion by not only relaxing the travel restrictions but also introducing cheaper means of communication by linking up the capitals, cities and towns ignoring problems like Kashmir, nuclear competition etc.

They have very correctly and appropriately realised that those are too thorny to be resolved quickly; but for that the lives of billions of people living in the sub-continent should not suffer. After all, the people are of the same origin that got divided for political reasons. One senior political leader perhaps correctly observed that, while borders could not be changed, people could be easily allowed to cross the same by lifting restrictions which in turn will help promote peace, trade, commerce, business and tourism. And towards meeting this end they are working hard.

What could not be achieved in 60 years, the positive attitude of both Manmohan Sing and Parvez Musharraf did in several weeks allowed direct bus communication between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar on April 7, 2005. This was a historic event, acclaimed locally and intentionally.

In the above backdrop, it is essential that no stone be left unturned in improving relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan. And for this, the first step should be to relax visa restrictions, followed by finding ways and means to develop cheaper means of communication. The fare is too high for the common people to afford. This should be reviewed bilaterally, at least for the visitors and tourists.