Pakistan and India will extend Lahore-Delhi Bus Service for another five years i.e. up to February 15, 2024, soon after Pakistani cabinet approves Indian request, well informed source told Business Recorder. The federal cabinet which is schedule to meet on March 26, with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair will consider the proposal of Ministry of Communication.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has approached Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi and proposed the extension of the Agreement of Lahore-Delhi Bus Service (LDBS) for a further period of five years i.e. up to February 15, 2024.
The Lahore-Delhi Bus Service Agreement was signed on February 17, 1997 at Islamabad between the governments of Pakistan and India for a period of five years and renewable for further periods of five years by mutual consent as enshrined under article-XVIII of the agreement. The bus service facilitates people of divided families, traders and others to travel.
Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) is the designated operator from Pakistan side and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Punjab Roadways are the designated operators from Indian side for operating bus service between the two countries.
The proposal of extension of the agreement of Delhi-Lahore Bus Service up to February 17, 2024 was circulated among Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Defence, Cabinet Division and PTDC for their views/clearance. Accordingly, all the concerned stakeholders have accorded their clearance for extension of the agreement for a further five years.
The matter was placed before the Prime Minister who has desired to place it before the federal cabinet under Rule 16(1)(H) of the Rules of Business, 1973.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the concerned Ministry that the decision of Government of Pakistan in this regard may be conveyed to it within a week for onward transmission to the concerned Indian authorities.
According to the agreement, the Ministry of Communication of Pakistan and Ministry of Surface Transport of India are to enter into immediate consultations at the request of either side and implement measures to overcome any difficulty that may arise in the effective implementation of the agreement.
Intra-Kashmir trade and Samjoota Express is continuing as per routine despite tension at the Line of Control and Working Boundary. However, bilateral trade between India and Pakistan has suffered after Pulwama attack and Pakistan's air space violation by India culminating in the downing of two Indian aircrafts - one in Azad Kashmir and the other in occupied Kashmir.