Altaf welcomes Parnab Mukherjee's visit to Pakistan

CNEWS Karachi:Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain on Wednesday welcoming Indian Minister for External Affairs Parnab Mukherjee's visit to Pakistan, has expressed hope that this visit will be a stepping stone towards establishing peace and friendly relationships not only between the two countries but a long lasting peace in South Asia region.He said that MQM wants better ties between Pakistan and India and both countries should jointly struggle to eliminate poverty, unemployment and for the restoration of peace in South Asia region, a statement issued by MQM here said.Altaf Hussain said that friendly relationship between Pakistan and India is vital for the prosperity and betterment of the People of both countries.He also called for opening of consulates of Indian and Pakistan in Karachi and Mumbai by both the Governments immediately.He said that opening of consulates in Karachi and Mumbai would facilitate issuance of visas for the people of Sindh who have to go through problems and financial hardships by visiting Islamabad to acquire visas.Altaf Hussain added that opening of consulates would also help enhance the ongoing confidence building measures between the two countries.Reiterating his long standing demand, he called upon the governments of Pakistan and India that better visa facilities should provided to the people of both sides and for this purpose consulates should reopen in Karachi and Mumbai as soon as possible.He said that honorable and friendly relation with neighbouring countries including India is a part of the MQM's manifesto.