New visa policy will improve Pakistan's image internationally and also dispel any negative propaganda against the country, an official from the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) said on Sunday.

Talking to the official PTV, PTDC Managing Director Salman Javed said that the revised visa policy would considerably enhance the number of foreign tourists as Pakistan has shown openness and taken bold steps in this regard.

Javed said that the Pakistani government was totally committed towards promoting tourism and was trying to fully utilize all potentials in this area.

He said that tourists friendly countries had increased from two, China and Japan, to 23 to grant visa on arrival to group tourists through designated tour operators in Pakistan.

He said that the revised visa policy would encourage inflow of foreign tourists, investors and businessmen which would ultimately give a considerable boost to trade, travel and tourism in Pakistan.

Javed said that special attention had been paid to promote travel and tourism with India. Indian Group tourists, he said, would now be allowed 30-day visa instead of 14 days through designated tour operators.

"Indian nationals would also be allowed pilgrimage visa to visit their specified holy places in Pakistan for 15 days instead of five days," he added.

In the revised visa policy, Indian businessmen have been encouraged to visit Pakistan to promote business activity between the two countries by adding new visa type called "Business Visa" which was previously not allowed.

(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2006)