Jammu, Mar 04: Strained ties between India and Pakistan seem to have not affected movement of cross border passengers traveling on board 'peace bus' on two different routes along Uri Muzaffarabad and Poonch Rawalakote road.
Minister in charge Home department of the Jammu and Kashmir government in a written reply informed lower house of the state assembly on Wednesday, "2603 passengers separated from their loved ones living across the frontiers were granted LOC permits for the Poonch Rawalakote route while 3410 persons were granted LOC permits for the Uri Muzaffarabad route ever since the two neighbouring countries launched biggest ever confidence building measure to improve relations between them".
The bus service on Uri Muzaffarabad route was launched by Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on April 7, 2005 while Poonch -Rawalakote route was launched by the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on June 19, 2006.
The state government also informed the assembly that as many as 1277 applications were pending with the passport offices in Jammu and Srinagar and 4923 applications were pending with the Pakistani authorities. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in another written reply informed the assembly that the state government headed by him was committed to work with the central government for opening of more trade routes across the Line of control and facilitate more meaningful trade between the two parts of the state by providing effective banking links, simplifying the procedures and easing restrictions on the movement of men and material.
(Courtesy: Daily north line,http://www.northlines.in/newsdet.aspx?q=18204 )
No comments:
Post a Comment