Foreign Office on Friday expressed concerns over the suspension of Samjhota Express operations and Indian Acting Deputy High Commissioner Raghuram was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express concern over the matter.
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As per the arrangement between India and Pakistan, the passengers coming from Pakistan travel to Delhi by the “14002 Attari Delhi Express” which runs on Thursday and Monday.
In response to another question regarding the lodging and boarding of the disturbed Pakistani and Indian passengers, Pakistan Railway Director General information department Rauf Tahir said “It is not the responsibility of Pakistan Railway administration”.
As many as 40 passengers were at Lahore railways station’s rest area when Indian authorities on October 8 closed the gates and refused to allow Samjhota Express to cross the Indian boundary due to security issues. Foreign Office spokeperson said that India should take steps to prevent such an action in future, reported Dunya News.
The Samjhauta Express (link train) and several other trains across Punjab were stopped, cancelled or diverted on Thursday due to the “rail roko” agitation by eight farmers’ organisations, including various factions of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), to protest against the “anti-farmer policies” of the Punjab government.
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Swarup said: Indian Railway authorities had informed in advance their Pakistani counterparts that the train would not be able to run in such a situation.
