After suspending bilateral trade, downgrading diplomatic relations and closing an airspace corridor, the Pakistan Government, on the 8th of August, shut down the Samjhauta Express train, which links Pakistan and India.
Sheikh Rasheed, the Railway Minister of Pakistan, informed the Foreign Ministry of India about the same. Mr. Rasheed addressed a press conference in Islamabad and said the train will run only on the occasion of Eid.
According to the Indian Railways, on the 8th of August, the Samjhauta Express was stopped at the Wagah Border with passengers in it.
Arvind Kumar Gupta, the Superintendent of Attari Railway Station, said the train was about to reach India, but the Pakistan Government refused to send their driver and asked the Indian Government to take back the train.
The Pakistan Government cited security issues behind the sudden announcement. However, an official notice regarding the suspension of the train service is yet to be issued.
Besides, the Pakistan Government also turned down India’s demand for consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, who is in Pakistan.
Kulbhushan Jadhav is a retired India Navy officer, who, on the 3rd of March 2016, was arrested in Pakistan, after being accused of espionage.
Recently, on the 19th of July, the Pakistan Government granted consular access to Kulbhushan.
The move of the Pakistan Government comes after the Indian Government scrapped Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
Stay tuned for further updates.
