Pakistan permanently stops Samjhauta Express services, ban films

Pakistan on Thursday announced permanent suspension of Samjhauta Express train service with India following New Delhi's revocation of special status for Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed also informed the press that in a decision by the Railways Ministry, Samjhauta Express services have been permanently stopped. The people who had already purchased their tickets can get their money reimbursed from Lahore DS office.

In meanwhile, Train engine for Samjhauta Express leaves from Attari railway station,for Pakistan. Station Master says "Services haven't stopped. Pak's driver and guard refused to come to India. So they sent us message to send engine with Indian crew and guard. They'll go with engine and bring the train"

Deepak Kumar, CPRO, Northern Railways says, Samjhauta Express plies between Lahore & Attari which is still continuing. Pakistan authorities had raised issues regarding security of the train's crew & guard. We have told them that situation this side is perfectly normal.

“The train is standing in the Wagah side which has around 110 passengers & our engine has also left from Attari.We'll bring the train from Wagah to Attari. 70 passengers are waiting here who will travel to Pak. So to say that the train has been cancelled is not right.”

The Samjhauta Express, named after the Hindi word for “agreement”, comprises six sleeper coaches and an AC 3-tier coach. The train service from Attari to Lahore was started on July 22, 1976 under the Shimla Agreement that settled the 1971 war between the two nations.

Earlier, on March 1 this year the Indian Railways had suspended operations of the Indo-Pak Samjhauta Express due to drastic decline in occupancy especially after the Pulwama terror attack, sources said.

Earlier, Pakistan suspended services on its end amidst strain in ties in the aftermath of the February 14, 2019 terror attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama and subsequent developments.

Originally, the train offered a through service with one rake going all the way between the terminals – Delhi in India to Lahore in Pakistan. However, now a Pakistani rake stops at Attari at which point passengers have to change trains and board an Indian rake.

News reports from Pakistan also said no Indian films will be allowed to screen in cinemas. Geo English quoted Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to Pakistan Prime Minister on I&B, as saying: “No Indian movie to be screened in Pakistani cinemas.”