Picture : Twitter / ANI
Pakistan have suspended the Samjhauta Express train service between Pakistan and India until further notice, amidst tense bilateral ties in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir into two union territories. The train departs on Monday and Thursday from Lahore.
“In a decision by the Railways Ministry, Samjhauta Express services have been permanently stopped. It used to ply twice a week. The people who had already purchased their tickets can get their money reimbursed from Lahore DS office.”
Pakistan’s latest move comes a day after it expelled Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria and decided to downgrade the diplomatic ties with India over what it called New Delhi’s “unilateral and illegal” move to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
The decision was taken during a National Security Committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and top civil and military leadership.
India had earlier had revoked Article 370 of the Constitution withdrawing the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Rasheed said the bogies of the Samjhauta Express will now be used for passengers travelling on the occasion of Eid.
Meanwhile , Deepak Kumar CRPO Northern railways had this to say to ANI , “The train is standing in the Wagah side which has around 110 passengers & our engine has also left from Attari. We’ll bring the train from Wagah to Attari. 70 passengers are waiting here who will travel to Pak. So to say that the train has been cancelled is not right. Samjhauta Express plies between Lahore & Attari which is still continuing. Pakistan authorities had raised issues regarding security of the train’s crew & guard. We have told them that situation this side is perfectly normal.”
