India, Pakistan renews Samjhauta train agreement

Islamabad, Apr 9: Indian and Pakistani railway officials have renewed a three-year agreement for the Samjhauta Express that runs between Wagah and Attari railway stations.

S R Thakur Advisor (Traffic) and his Pakistani counterpart Gulrez Hashmi signed the agreement. Deputy High Commissioner Man Preet Vohra and Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed were present at the signing ceremony.

The agreement was last renewed in January 2004.

The Indian Government had requested the extension of the agreement temporarily on its expiry on January 19 for three months.

''The agreement now stands extended from January 20, 2007 to January 19, 2010,'' a Pakistani railway official said on the conclusion of the four-day talks.

Other traffic and technical matters pertaining to train operations between the two countries were also discussed at the meeting and it was decided to examine them to ensure smooth traffic.

Sheikh Rashid told reporters that both the countries had decided to add two passenger coaches to the existing rakes of the Samjhauta Express and Monabao Express.

A penalty equal to 10 times of the base rate on luggage for more than the free allowance of 35 kg for Economy Class and 50 kg for First class, carried by passengers would also be imposed.

''This has been decided to discourage heavy amount of luggage carried by passengers'', he said.

He said the government had not yet received any formal information from India about the on-going inquiry into the the Samjhauta Express blast in February, which killed 68 passengers.

Mr Vohra, however said all information on the subject was available with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

UNI

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