Trans-Kashmir bus to be fortnightly service; Kashmiris annoyed
Pakistan Times Kashmir Desk

SRINAGAR: The first bus service in decades connecting the Indian (occupied) Kashmir and Pakistani (Azad) Kashmir will run only once a fortnight, an official said Thursday, dashing hopes of thousands that they would soon be able to visit relatives across the divide.

Additionally, no private vehicles will be allowed to ply the route "for the time being," said Nayeem Akhter, secretary to Indian Held Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

"It has been decided by the two sides that initially the bus will run once a fortnight," Akhter told French news agency AFP.

India and Pakistan last month agreed as part of their ongoing peace process to restart a bus service between the Srinagar and Muzaffarabad.

Akhter said the buses would not cross the Line of Control (LoC). "The buses will stop at the LoC. Passengers will have to cross ... by foot between the Indian and Pakistani checkpoints," he said.

The bus carrying passengers from Srinagar to the LoC will return with passengers who have arrived from Muzaffarabad.

India and Pakistan began a slow-moving peace dialogue in January last year and last month agreed to restart the bus service in the most visible sign of progress so far.

Kashmiris have been using longer routes to cross between the two zones, having to travel through New Delhi or Islamabad for air connections or by land through the Wagah border crossing.

News of the the resumption of the bus service had sparked jubilation but the decision to run it only once every two weeks has annoyed many in Indian occupied Kashmir.

"We were expecting a daily service," said Irshad Ahmed from the western border town of Uri. "Some of us may not get a turn to visit our relatives at all."

The buses will carry only 30 passengers each and so far the authorities in Kashmir have issued 150 permits, which Kashmiris will use instead of passports and visas. Thirty applicants have been short-listed for the first trip.

In Muzaffarabad, thousands of people mobbed the office when the authorities began handing out application forms on Monday.

Officials said they were planning to hand out 10,000 forms in eight Pakistani districts.

"Restarting the bus service has been welcomed by us but we appeal to the two governments to increase its frequency," said 60-year-old Abdul Aziz, who has lodged his permit application in Srinagar but is not sure when he will be selected for the trip.

Another prospective passenger, Mohammed Yusuf, was more patient. "We should give credit to the two governments for opening this road. We should give them some time before they decide to launch a daily or weekly service," he said.●