M A I N   N E W S

Bus to Lahore from November
Rajeev Sharma
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 28
India and Pakistan today decided to start the Amritsar-Lahore bus service in the first half of November, inched closer to an agreement for starting the Nankana Sahib-Amritsar bus service but appeared to be still some distance away from a formal arrangement on opening up their skies further for increased civil aviation links.

The two countries will still take some time in adding more destinations, designation of multiple airlines and increasing frequency of flights.

The trial run of the Amritsar-Lahore bus service will take place in the second half of next month.

On the Amritsar-Nankana Sahib bus service, the two sides still had certain mutual concerns and issues to address, though they agreed that it should be started at the earliest. Both sides agreed to hold another round of technical-level talks within one month on this issue.

Linked with this issue appears to be the Pakistani keenness on reaching at a formal mechanism on travelling of Pakistani citizens to Ajmer Sharif. The two sides also explored the possibility of travel by pilgrims from both countries to holy shrines in India and Pakistan, including Ajmer Sharif.

The two sides finalised an agreement on the Lahore-Amritsar bus service, a joint press statement said. They also discussed the draft agreement, protocol and technical modalities for the Nankana Sahib -Amritsar bus service, including issues such as designated routes, bus terminals and facilities for the bus crews.

The bus links and civil aviation links were discussed threadbare yesterday and today at the second round of technical-level talks between the two countries which were held here and in Rawalpindi, respectively.