Islamabad, May 28 (ANI): An editorial in a Pakistan daily, referring to the delay in signing of a new liberalised visa regime with India, has said it is time for Pakistan to move ahead and break the cycle of retreating from the brink whenever a silver lining is visible.

With the postponement of the signing of the new visa regime, due to some procedural delays, another phase of wait and see has begun. The delay is due to the insistence of Interior Minister Rehman Malik to sign the agreement at the political leadership level, for which he has invited Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram to Pakistan, states the editorial.

Going by past trends, every important decision between India and Pakistan is subject to a 'one step forward, two steps back' process, it added.

The liberalised visa agreement evolved in the interior secretaries meeting in Bhurban marks a new beginning. The focus was on developing trade and economic cooperation related activities that require lowering of barriers on issues such as visa regulations, the editorial said.

The issue of visa liberalisation has emotional appeal. Issuing tourist visas easily and visas on arrival to senior citizens and children, besides doing away with police reporting will facilitate people to people contact, it added.

The release of prisoners and fishermen, including those suffering from ailments, would prevent many from rotting away in each other's jails. Even those inmates whose nationalities could not be ascertained will be freed to live in charitable institutions in both countries until their identities are confirmed, it further said.

Though trade is important, a humane approach to the relationship could strengthen its sustainability, it concluded. (ANI)