NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan are expected to liberalise visa rules for business travel soon and a " broad agreement" has been reached between the two countries, a senior government official said on Friday. 

The move is aimed at normalising business tied between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Earlier this month, Pakistan's cabinet unanimously agreed to grant India Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status, a long pending move which is expected to strengthen trade and bilateral relations between the two countries. The move has faced stiff opposition from some industry groups in Pakistan but both sides have reiterated their commitment to normalise trade relations. 

To begin with, the two sides will issue multiple-entry visas valid for one year to prominent businessmen, Arvind Mehta, joint secretary,commerce and industry ministry, was quoted as saying at a function organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci). Pakistan's high commissioner to India Shahid Malik also confirmed the move. 

"The one-year multiple-entry visa will allow business persons to visit up to 10 cities with no requirement of a police report and no restriction on places of entry and exit," Mehta was quoted as saying. Continued