Pakistan and India have increased the staff strength at their high commissions in New Delhi and Islamabad respectively from 47 to 55 to meet the growing rush of visa seekers.

Accepting the suggestion made by India in September, Islamabad issued visas to eight Indian officials on Thursday and India responded by granting visas to the same number of Pakistani officials.

The proposal was made by India to meet increasing rush of visa seekers from Pakistan.

The proposal also figured in the 12-point confidence building measures proposed by India last month to improve relations between the two countries.

Please see: India makes new peace proposals to Pak

India and Pakistan cut down their staff strength by half after the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001.

The Indian high commission in Islamabad is grappling with a heavy rush for visas to visit India following resumption of bus services between the two countries.

The rush is expected to pick up if the two countries manage to reach an agreement to restore civil aviation links.

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