LAHORE: The Delhi-bound Samjhota Express, carrying both Indian and Pakistani passengers, was called back from the Wagah border to the Lahore Railway Station after Indian authorities cautioned their Pakistani counterparts of disruptive farmers protests in Indian Punjab province.
Railway officials 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 the calling back of the train
Earlier, Pakistan Railways spokesman Rauf Tahir said the train carrying 193 passengers ─ both Indian and Pakistani nationals ─ was stopped upon reaching the Wagah border and 57 Pakistani passengers were requested to offload from the train.
A local daily quoting the stationmaster at Wagah said there were 215 passengers on board.
Indian farmers demanding compensation for the destruction of their cotton crop by whitefly have stopped a number of trains in Indian Punjab in protest, the Hindustan Times reported.
Senior CNN IBN correspondent Jyoti Kamal while speaking to DawnNews said the disruptions have made train movements uncertain, and Pakistani passengers who cross the border may experience difficulty reaching their destination, Indian security agencies had cautioned.
The Pakistan Railways spokesman said the train will now depart for Delhi on Monday.
Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said Pakistan is looking into the matter.
In February 2007, alleged Hindu extremists bombed the Samjhota Express, killing 68 people, 42 of whom were Pakistanis.
The Government of Pakistan earlier this year protested Indian's recent decision not to oppose bail for the prime accused in the case.
“The Government of Pakistan expects India to take steps to bring to justice all those involved in the heinous act of terrorism on the Samjhota Express," the Pakistan foreign ministry said.
Also read: India not to challenge bail of Samjhauta blasts accused
