Pak want to increase coaches, security in cross-border trains

Islamabad, Feb 23 (UNI) Pakistan Railways has proposed increasing the number of coaches of the Samjhauta Express and handing over its security to the Rangers in the wake of blasts in the Delhi-Lahore train.

The Railways also proposed to hand over to the Rangers the security of another India-Pakistan train service -- the Thar Express.

The News quoted Pakistan Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad here as saying that his department was willing to increase the number of cars from the present nine to 13.

''I will request the President and (the) Prime Minister to consider our proposal,'' he said.

''The Samjhauta plied between Lahore and Wagah on the Pakistan side, and covers a distance of few kilometres, whereas the Thar Express, travelling from Khokhrapar in Sindh to Munabao in Rajasthan, covers longer distance,'' Mr Ahmad said.

UNI