- Srinagar–Muzaffarabad Bus
The Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Bus is a passenger
bus service connectingSrinagar , the capital of theIndia n state ofJammu and Kashmir (alsoIndian-administered Kashmir ) withMuzaffarabad , the capital ofPakistan-administered Kashmir across theLine of Control (LoC)] cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1731919.stm|title=India-Pakistan buses close down|last=Sen|first=Ayanjit|date=28 December 2001 |work=BBC News|publisher=BBC |accessdate=2008-04-21]Finalisation of bus link
The proposal was placed under official consideration by both countries in 2003 and was supported by the on-going
ceasefire and peace talks between militants and Indian forces as well asKashmiri people who wanted to visit relatives separated since the 1947–48 war that divided the region. The Pakistani government under PresidentPervez Musharaff began extensive talks with the administration of Indian Prime MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee , which were continued by the administration of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who succeeded Vajpayee in 2004.cite web |title=India, Pakistan seal deal on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm |publisher=The Hindu |date=2005-02-17 |accessdate=2008-06-17] The official agreement was promulgated on February 16, 2005, when then-Indian Minister of External AffairsK. Natwar Singh visited the then-Pakistani President Pervez Musharaff inRawalpindi , Pakistan.cite web |title=India, Pakistan seal deal on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm |publisher=The Hindu |date=2005-02-17 |accessdate=2008-06-17] The decision was announced along with agreements on starting a new bus service connecting the Pakistani city ofLahore and the Indian city ofAmritsar , establishing theThar Express train service and opening respectiveconsulate s in the cities ofKarachi , Pakistan, andMumbai , India.cite web |title=India, Pakistan seal deal on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm |publisher=The Hindu |date=2005-02-17 |accessdate=2008-06-17]The Indian official position viewed the bus service as a "humanitarian measure without prejudice" and not affecting the rival policies and stands of the two governments on the Kashmir conflict.cite web |title=India, Pakistan seal deal on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm |publisher=
The Hindu |date=2005-02-17 |accessdate=2008-06-17] To make the bus safe and fully operational, the LoC would bedemined if and where necessary and other security arrangements would be made as well.cite web |title=India, Pakistan seal deal on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm |publisher=The Hindu |date=2005-02-17 |accessdate=2008-06-17] Both governments announced that the bus service could be used by Indian and Pakistani citizens wishing to travel anywhere in Indian Kashmir and Pakistani Kashmir, including theNorthern Areas of Pakistan , which are part of India's claim on Kashmir and pre-1947 Kashmir.cite web |title=India, Pakistan seal deal on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm |publisher=The Hindu |date=2005-02-17 |accessdate=2008-06-17]Bus service details
The bus runs a distance of 170 kilometres (110 mi).cite web |title=PM flags off Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service on April 7 |url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2005/03/12/1203pakbus.html |publisher=
Press Trust of India , Indiainfo.com |date=2005-03-12 |accessdate=2008-06-17] The bus service was officially launched on April 7, 2005 and was flagged-off by the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.cite web |title=PM flags off Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service on April 7 |url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2005/03/12/1203pakbus.html |publisher=Press Trust of India , Indiainfo.com |date=2005-03-12 |accessdate=2008-06-17] cite web |title=India, Pakistan seal deal on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm |publisher=The Hindu |date=2005-02-17 |accessdate=2008-06-17] In India, all citizens would have to apply at the Regional Passport Office in Srinagar, which was the designated authority to evaluate applications, verify identities and issue entry permits.cite web |title=India, Pakistan seal deal on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm |publisher=The Hindu |date=2005-02-17 |accessdate=2008-06-17] The Indian government has proposed improving travel permit procedures, increasing the frequency of the bus service to weekly instead of a fortnight,cite web |title=Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service to be weekly |url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/04/25/0804251523_rs-indopak.html |publisher=Press Trust of India , Indiainfo.com |date=2005-04-25 |accessdate=2008-06-17] and starting bus services connectingKargil , India, withSkardu , Pakistan, andJammu , India, withSialkot , Pakistan.cite web |title=Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service to be weekly |url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/04/25/0804251523_rs-indopak.html |publisher=Press Trust of India , Indiainfo.com |date=2005-04-25 |accessdate=2008-06-17]References
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