Pak to propose extension of Samjhauta Express to Delhi

Pakistan on Tuesday said it will propose extension of the Samjhauta Express service to New Delhi during the parleys next week with India on resumption of rail links.

Before it was stopped following the December 2001 attack on Indian Parliament, Samjhauta Express used to run between Lahore in Pakistan and Attari in Punjab.

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"It is hoped that Pakistan railway team, which is scheduled to hold talks with their Indian counterparts will return successful," Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri told a seminar in Islamabad on 'Conflict Resolution and Regional Co-operation in South Asia.'

The railway officials of both sides are expected to finalise the schedule to resume the service.

A direct communication link between coast guards of the two countries is also under consideration, Kasuri said.

Kasuri said the process of confidence building measures between India and Pakistan must continue for durable peace and stability in South Asia. But, he added, the international community has to play its role in promoting peace and security in the region.

Calling for "serious and scrupulous" introspection to determine a course to improve relations, he said: "All outstanding issues should be addressed with statesmanship so that we can move ahead towards a cooperative and prosperous future for the people of the two countries."

Kasuri said Pakistan is pleased that India has responded favourably to its proposal for ceasefire along the Line if Control.