Pakistan closes Samjhauta Express train service with India

A Indian passenger (L) waves on the Samjhauta Express, also called the Friendship Express that runs between New Delhi and Attari in India and Lahore in Pakistan, as it departs Lahore railway station on March 4, 2019

Islamabad: The Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Thursday said that Pakistan has closed the Samjhauta Express train service with India. The move comes a day after Islamabad downgraded the diplomatic ties with New Delhi. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Rasheed said the bogies of the Samjhauta Express will now be used for passengers travelling on the occasion of Eid. "Till I am Railways minister, Samjhauta Express train service will not operate," he was quoted as saying by the Geo TV.

The Samjhauta Express train service was suspended earlier in 2019 due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. However, the service was later resumed. The Samjhauta Express which comprises sex sleeper coaches and AC three-tier coach was named after the Hindi word for 'agreement'.

The Samjhauta Express train service was started on July 22, 1976 under the Simla Agreement that settled the 1971 war between the two nations. From India, the train runs from Delhi to Attari and from Lahore to Wagah on the Pakistan side.

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