The Delhi-bound Samjhota Express, carrying both Pakistani and Indian passengers, was called back from the Wagah border to the Lahore Railway Station on Thursday after Indian authorities cautioned their Pakistani counterparts of farmer's disruptive protests in Indian Punjab province. Senior officials told Business Recorder that Pakistan Railway will issue certificates to allow the Indian nationals, whose visas to visit Pakistan are set to expire, to extend their stay in the country till Monday.
The certificates are being issued as part of special arrangements to facilitate the Indian visitors who have had to stay back due to disruptions in Indian Punjab. D.G PR information Rauf Tahir said the train carrying 210 passengers including 130 Pakistanis was stopped at Wagah border and 57 Pakistani passengers opted to cancel their visit to India under these circumstances.
Railway officials told this n scribe that Indian farmers demanding compensation for destruction of their cotton crop by whitefly have stopped a number of trains in Indian Punjab. They further said that the disruptions had made train movements uncertain, and Pakistani passengers who crossed the border may experience difficulty in reaching their destination, Indian security agencies had cautioned Pakistan Railways.
The Pakistan Railways spokesman said the train will now depart for Delhi on October 12 Monday. Spokesperson said that foreign Office had lodged a protest and was looking into the matter. In response to another question regarding the lodging and boarding of the disturbed Pakistani and Indian passengers, Pakistan Railway Director General information department Rauf Tahir said "It is not the responsibility of Pakistan Railway administration.
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