ISLAMABAD: Indonesian government has announced removal ofPakistan from their Calling Visa Country List after concerted efforts of Pakistani leadership and the Embassy of Pakistan in Jakarta.Pakistan had been on this restrictive list for almost 13 years, PakistanEmbassy in Jakarta said here Friday.Coordinating Minister of Indonesia to Political, legal and SecurityAffairs, General (R) Wiranto announced the news in media after attending the meeting convened in this regard by Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla.The official Decree for the implementation of this arrangement wasexpected to be issued in coming weeks.As per new regulations, the Indonesian Missions in Pakistan and othercountries would be authorized to issue visas to Pakistani nationals without referring the application to immigration authorities in Jakarta.The decision to this effect was made by the Indonesian government inview of growing trade relations and interest of Pakistani travelers in Indonesian touristdestinations.The visa processing after issuance of Decree will be easier and quicker.After the implementation of new visa policy, Pakistanis around the globe,especially residing in the South East Asia region will be able to obtain Indonesian visa with ease.
The relaxed visa policy will not only result in expansion of bilateral and economic relations between the two countries but would also increase people to people contacts,Pakistan embassy in Jakarta concluded.