Thar Express: Its time Pakistan must accept the reality; India over train halts

New Delhi : A day after Pakistan announced suspension of Samjhauta Express that runs between Delhi and Lahore, they have announced suspension of Thar Express, a bi-weekly train between India and Pakistan.

“We have decided to shut down the Thar Express as well,” Pakistan’s railways minister Sheikh Rashid told reporters, in reference to the weekly service running between the towns of Khokrapar in Pakistan and Munabao in Barmer, India.

“As long as I am railways minister, no train will operate between Pakistan and India.” Rashid added.

On Thursday, Rashid Ahmed had announced the suspension of Samjhauta Express due to India's decision to abrogate Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

“We have decided to shut down Samjhauta Express… As long as I am railways minister, Samjhauta Express can’t run,” he had said.

Apart from this, Pakistan has also banned screening of Indian movies in the theatres. Late on Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said at an interaction with journalists that Pakistan does not want war but will give a befitting response if India imposes it, Geo News reported.

Reacting on the overall bans and protests by the Pakistan, India's Ministry of External Affairs described Islamabad’s action as “unilateral” and said New Delhi has urged it to reconsider its decision.

“Actions taken by Pakistan are unilateral.This has been done without consulting us.We’ve urged them to reconsider their decision.Our sense is that whatever is being done by Pakistan is to present an alarming picture of bilateral relationship,” he said.

“It is time for Pakistan to accept the reality and stop interfering in internal affairs of other countries,” he added.