(a) whether the Government of Pakistan has imposed a ban on the Indian artistes visiting and performing over there;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether some eminent persons of our country have demanded a ban on the Pakistani artistes visiting and performing in India; and
(d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS ( SHRI DIGVIJAY SINGH )
(a-b) Government of Pakistan follows an extremely restrictive policy regarding permitting Indian artistes to perform in Pakistan.
(c) Several Indian artistes have complained that the more liberal policy followed by the Government of India, with respect to visas for Pakistani artistes to visit and perform in India, has placed them at a disadvantage.
(d) Government believe that greater reciprocal people to people contacts could be one of the ways of carrying forward the bilateral relations.