"I strongly believe that if the two nations are to really strengthen their ties, they should scrap the visa system. Both the governments will need to take this initiative as people on the two sides want peace and are keen to mingle freely with each other," he said.

"The people are filled with immense love for each other and the politicians on both sides should not limit themselves to just handshakes, but go with the people's sentiments," 52-year-old Burney, also a member of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee, told PTI.

Burney, who is currently on a visit to India with his family, was instrumental in the recent release of another Indian prisoner Kashmir Singh who spent 35 years in Pakistani prisons.

He said he would like to invite top political leadership of the two neighbouring nations to come to the Wagah-Attari international border some day to take a pledge on the issue of unrestricted movement.

"I am ready to act as a bridge if two sides will move forward to end the visa regime," he said.

There were thousands of people who had relatives and friends on the two sides of the border, he said.