Pakistan rejects US report on human rights practices
This year's report is once again conspicuous by its lack of objectivity and politicization of the international human rights agenda, it added.
After permanently shutting Samjhauta Express services, Pakistan has now reportedly suspended the Lahore-Delhi ‘Dosti’ bus service in retaliation to India’s decision to revoke Article 370 of its Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
The announcement of the latest suspension was made by Federal Minister for Postal Services and Communications Murad Saeed in a tweet on Friday.
“In line with the decisions of the NSC (National Security Committee), Pak-India bus service is suspended,” the minister tweeted.
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In line with the decisions of NSC Pak-India bus service is suspended.
— Murad Saeed (@MuradSaeedPTI) August 9, 2019
The development came a day after Pakistan on Thursday announced that it is permanently discontinuing the Samjhauta Express train service with India.
Pakistani authorities stopped the Samjhauta Express at the Wagah border citing security concerns on Thursday, days after India moved a presidential order to revoke Article 370.
High drama was witnessed at the Attari Railway Station as passengers travelling in the Samjhauta Express were left stranded at the station after the driver and guard refused to enter India.
Railway crew and guard from India had to go with a train engine to Pakistan to bring the train to Attari Railway Station, from where it was taken to Old Delhi station.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is also mulling to suspend Thar Express services between Jodhpur in Rajasthan and Karachi.
“We have decided to shut down the Thar Express as well. As long as I am railways minister, no train will operate between Pakistan and India,” Reuters quoted Pakistan Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed as saying.
The train has been running between Jodhpur’s Bhagat ki Kothi station to Karachi every Friday night since services resumed on February 18, 2006, after a 41-year suspension.
These moves come in the line of a series of steps taken by the Pakistan government in the wake of Centre repealing Article 370.
Islamabad on Wednesday decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with India over the Kashmir move. It expelled Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria and suspended trade with India.
As per the Pakistan National Security Council decision, the government has decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with India, suspend bilateral trade with New Delhi, review bilateral arrangements, take up Kashmir matter with the UN and observe August 14 in solidarity with brave Kashmiris.
Meanwhile, India has slammed Pakistan for the unilateral decisions taken in respect to the bilateral relations and urged the neighbouring nation to “review the steps taken so that normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved”.
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