After Samjhauta Express, Pakistan suspends operations of Thar Express

Pakistan recently took another drastic step to show its strong disapproval over the Indian Government revoking the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir. A couple of days after the Government of India revoked the autonomous status given to J&K, Pakistan stopped operations of the Samjhauta Express that connects it with Delhi and Lahore by a rail network. Now, news has it that Pakistan has gone a step forward by stalling the operations of Thar Express as well.
A news agency quoted Sheikh Rasheed, the railway minister of Pakistan, as saying that the weekly train service running between Khokrapar (Pakistan) and Munabao (India) has been shut down. He also added that no train will ply between India and Pakistan till the time he is holding the ministerial position.


On the other hand, the Samjhauta Express arrives at the Old Delhi Railway Station about 5 hours late on Friday, August 9, as a result of the problems that came up after Pakistan stalled its operations from its border. The train was launched in 1976 under the Simla Agreement as a sign of goodwill between the two neighbouring nations.
Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi stuck to his stand while addressing the people of India and asserted that the decision to revoke the special status of J&K was meant to bring about peace and prosperity.
Given that the train service between Indo-Pak has been stopped, it is too early to say whether it shall be resumed any time in future. However, it seems that growth of tourism in J&K is underway as Maharashtra Tourism and other agencies are looking forward to acquire land and construct tourist resorts in the valley.