Pak bus leaves for Lahore, Sena threat fails
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, Jan 17 — The bus from Pakistan, which came here on a test run for the proposed regular road service between the two countries, left the Capital safely this morning for Lahore amidst Shiv Sena’s threat to disrupt it.

The blue and white Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation bus, with 15 Pakistani officials and four crew members were given a warm send off by Delhi Government officials at about 6.45 a.m. after a four-day "fruitful" stay in the Capital.

Describing their India visit as "fruitful", delegation leader and General Manager of Pakistan’s National Highway Authority Dr Tajul Islam Yusufzai said both sides were determined to run the regular bus service at the earliest.

The Pakistani delegates held detailed discussion with their Indian counterparts on certain details relating to insurance, drivers' accommodation, bus garage, parking facilities, early clearance at Wagah border, improvement in communication facilities and the security aspect.

During their stay, the Pakistani officials finalised most details of the proposed bus service besides meeting Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and also visiting Agra.

"The bus left the Capital safely without any problem whatsoever," an apparently relieved Joint Commissioner of Police (Northern Range) Suresh Roy said.

He said tight security was maintained all along the route up to the Delhi-Haryana border to thwart any attempt to disrupt the journey by Shiv Sainiks.

Meanwhile, Delhi Shiv Sena chief Jai Bhagwan Goyal conceded that his party activists failed to carry out the threat in the face of tight security.

The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation bus was stationed at Indraprastha Bus Depot to prevent any vandalism by the Shiv Sena.

The Sainiks had threatened that they would "not allow the bus to go back" to Pakistan at "any cost."

The police said it would take all possible measures to thwart any attempt to harm the PTDC bus or the Indo-Pakistan cricket match scheduled to be held from February 4.

The bus, which would run four times a week from both sides, would take nearly 14 hours to cover a distance of 526 km passing through Wagah border. The bus would travel on those days when the Samjhauta Express does not run.

The stoppages the bus is likely to have are Pipli in Haryana and Sirhind and Kartarpur in Punjab before stopping at Wagah border.

The first trial run with members of the diplomatic corps, was flagged off on November 2 till Wagah border.

The decision to begin such a service was taken at the New York round of talks between the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee and his Pakistani counterpart, Mr Nawaz Sharif, in September last.

Pak officials satisfied with security

WAGAH BORDER (Amritsar), Jan 17(UNI) — The Pakistani delegation which conducted the Lahore-New Delhi bus service's "dry run" returned to its country through this road checkpost, satisfied with the security arrangements to be provided by India to the passengers who would be travelling on this route.

"I do not see any problems (security) and your Prime Minister’s response has been very positive’’, Dr Tajul Islam Yousafzai, leader of the 19-member Pakistani delegation, said in a chat with mediapersons at this checkpost before crossing over to his country this evening.

The agreement reached between Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee and his counterpart, Mr Nawaz Sharif last year was in itself a security assurance, he added, while dismissing all types of threats being issued by groups opposed to the Delhi-Lahore road linkage.

The Pakistani delegation which conducted the "dry run" on a luxury coach of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation on January 14 besides meeting Mr Vajpayee also met Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and officials of the External Affairs and Home Ministries and the Delhi Transport Corporation during its stay in New Delhi.

While senior Indian officials had turned up in large numbers to give a rousing welcome to the delegation members when they entered India on Thursday for the bus service's "dry run," unfortunately they were not present today to see them off.

Customs and Immigration officials, besides checking the travel documents of the delegation members, served them tea and snacks.

The much-awaited bus service, which was expected to start in the first week of February, has been delayed and would now commence in the second week of next month.

This decision was taken at meetings between the Pakistani delegation and senior Indian officials representing the External Affairs and Home Ministries and the Delhi Transport Corporation in New Delhi.

Dr Yousafzai said certain minor issues had to be settled before the road linkage between the two important cities was established. The issues included the fare, the food to be served to the passengers and the stoppages.

Dr Yousafzai indicated that these issues would be taken care of in the next couple of days between the officials concerned of the two countries.

Dr Yousafzai said from the experience of the "dry run" the Pakistani delegation felt that besides the three stoppages suggested by India there should be another one between Pipli in Haryana and Delhi. Besides Pipli the other stoppages earmarked by the Indian officials on this route were Kartarpur, near Jalandhar, and Sirhind.

Dr Yousafzai said a fourth stoppage was being suggested as the distance between Pipli and Delhi would be a bit tiresome for passengers coming from Lahore.

The basic idea behind this service was to ensure the comfort of the passengers, he added.

Regarding the fare, he said it would be between Rs 600 and Rs 700 and both sides had agreed to this. The fare would also include the meals to be served to the passengers. The menu would be finalised by officials of both countries, he added.

Regarding their 15-minute meeting with Prime Minister Vajpayee in Delhi, Dr Yousafzai said. Mr Vajpayee’s response to the bus service was "very heartening". The Prime Minister assured them that the linkage between the two countries would be established, he said while referring to similar views expressed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to members of the Indian delegation when it met him in Pakistan last week.

Commenting on his trip to Delhi, Dr Yousafzai said "our mission had been successful and complete".

He described his stay in Delhi as pleasant and said all members of his delegation were well looked after. The delegation members were also satisfied with the condition of Sher Shah Suri Marg on which the proposed Delhi-Lahore bus would run.