ISLAMABAD: A day after Pakistan asked India to withdraw its high commissioner from Islamabad following the New Delhi’s decision to strip occupied Kashmir of its special status, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Thursday announced to close the Samjhota Express train service between the neighbors.
“As long as I am railways minister, Samjhauta Express can’t operate.” Rasheed posted on his Twitter account.
مودی کی سیاست لال چوک سری نگر میں ختم ہوگی،
جب تک میں وزیر ریلوے ہوں سمجھوتا ایکسپریس نہیں چل سکتی،— Sheikh Rashid Ahmad (@ShkhRasheed) August 8, 2019
While addressing a presser in Islamabad, Rasheed said that “[regardless of the suspension] two special trains will run on Eid. We are trying to improve the train schedule, timing, coaches and hygiene”.
When asked about the passengers who had already bought their tickets, Rasheed said, “all those [who bought tickets] will be given a refund without deduction.”
“The refund can be collected from the Divisional Superintendent Office in Lahore,” he said.
However, in its response, the Indian government claimed that it “was not informed by the Pakistan government about the latest move,” India Today reported, adding that “this has resulted in a number of passengers being stranded at the Wagah-Attari border.”
India’s Attari railway station superintendent said that “Pakistan has refused to send its driver and guard with the train to the Indian side”.
“Instead [of sending the train], they informed us to send a driver and crew to take back the Samjhauta Express from Pakistani territory.”
Samjhota Express, which runs twice a week from Lahore to Attari via Wagah railway station, was also suspended earlier this year, due to escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries following the Pulwama incident in February. However, the train service was later resumed.
