Pakistan-India rail link suspended as Samjhauta Express service stopped indefinitely on Thursday
Samjhauta Express was the only rail link between India and Pakistan for passengers
Dubai: Pakistan has suspended Samjhuata Express service which is the only rail link with India, with immediate effect, says Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Thursday.
The move is part of serveral measures taken by Pakistan against India in the wake of New Delhi’s move of revoking special status for Jammu and Kashmir. The Minister said the rail service has been stopped indefinitely.
The Samjhota Express train service had also been suspended earlier this year, due to escalating military tensions between the two neighbouring countries. Hundreds of passengers from India and Pakistan used Samjhauta Express which ran twice a week (Monday and Thursday) between Lahore and Attari via the Wagah railway station.
Pakistan on Wednesday also announced to partially close its airspace amid growing tensions with India over the abrogation of Article 370.
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership has decided to expel Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria and suspend bilateral trade with India in the wake of New Delhi’s move of revoking special status for Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan also decided not to send the new High Commissioner to India.
Pakistan has also suspended its bilateral trade ties with India. On Thursday, it also announced that no Indian films will be screend in Pakistani cinemas.