Relations between India and Pakistan worsened on Wednesday after India decided to scrap article 370 and make J&K and Ladakh separate Union Territories. Following the news, Pakistan decided to downgrade diplomatic ties with India.
Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, Pakistan’s Railway Minister, said, “He has decided to restrict operations of Samjhauta Express and it will not operate during his term in office. He also said the bogies of the Samjhauta Express will now be used for passengers travelling on the occasion of Eid.” Later, he announced that, “We have decided to shut down the Thar Express as well.”
The Samjhauta Express, named after the Hindi word for “agreement”, encompasses six sleeper coaches and an AC 3-tier coach. The train service was started on July 22 1976, under the Simla Agreement that settled the 1971 war between the two nations.
