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Karachi consulate to resume issuing visas

          Karachi: India's consulate in Karachi will soon resume issuing visas, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan said. The consulate was shut down in 1994 amidst allegations from the Pakistani Government about the alleged involvement of the Mission in "fuelling terrorist activity" in the then violence-stricken metropolis. Millions of post-Partition migrants living in Karachi have suffered all these years as a consequence. They faced hurdles in maintaining ties with their families in India. People had to travel 1500 km to Islamabad for depositing their visa forms and then do the follow ups. With the Karachi Consulate all set to resume operations soon, the citizens of Sindh can look forward to a less cumbersome way to obtain an Indian visa, reported the Dawn. Besides, the proposed revival of the Khokrapar-Munabao rail route linking Sindh and Rajasthan will provide the shortest possible route to the people of the region to meet their relatives and friends in India. While meeting Ibad, Syed Chishti also hailed the Governor's efforts for the restoration of Thar rail route between India and Pakistan and said he was impressed by the massive development work going on in Sindh. Dr Ibad said that steps were being taken to provide all possible facilities to passengers of Thar Express. Work was also under way on the renovation of the Khokhrapar railway station which would be completed soon, he added.
-April 19,  2007