India-Pakistan bus service to resume ( 2003-06-21 10:59) (Agencies)
In a sign of improving relations, India and Pakistan have announced plans to
resume bus service between the rival nuclear nations.
The service was stopped when the countries severed air and ground links and
mobilized troops following an attack by Islamic militants on the Indian
Parliament in December 2001.
As part of the improving relations, Indian and Pakistani leaders have pledged
to restore transportation services.
India's Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has offered to hold talks with
Pakistan on Kashmir, the Himalayan region both sides claim, and other issues, in
hopes of ending 56 years of enmity. The two nations have fought two wars over
Kashmir.
Thousands of people use the bus service to visit their friends and relatives
divided by the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The buses travel
between India's capital New Delhi and the Pakistani city of Lahore.
On Friday, officials from both nations said they were ready to restart the
service as early as July 1.
"It depends on how soon the crew on both sides get visa," A.J.S. Sahney,
chairman of the Delhi Transport Corporation, said.
