Pakistan is ready to allow freight movement to and from India through historic rail link - Thar Express - that is likely to be resumed this week. Islamabad, however, anticipates a matching response from New Delhi.
Which is reluctant to carry freight between the two neighbouring countries via this rail route, Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Sunday.
Nuclear arch rivals are all set to resume a rail service between Khokhrapar to Munabao on November 23 that was suspended earlier this year when railway track submerged with rainwater during heavy monsoons.
"We have received a letter from India in which it expressed their desire to restart the service from November 23. We welcome this step and hope the service would serve people of both the countries," Railways Minister told Business Recorder.
To a query, he said so far there would be no freight service between the neighbouring countries through said rail route. "We are ready for freight movement as well, but the Indian side seems to be reluctant in this regard," he added.
Sheikh Rashid said Pakistan has spent more than Rs 2 billion to upgrade and replace its narrow gauge 128-kilometer track from Mirpur Khas to the Khokhrapar by laying a broad gauge track.
To a question, he dismissed the impression that the element of smuggling was behind what he termed reluctance shown by the Indian authorities to allow freight movement on Thar Express, named after the desert from where it passes.
"There are salt and dates which we can export to India through Thar Express... There is no question of smuggling or anything," he replied in categorical terms.
The transport link was severed following 1965 Indo-Pakistan war and efforts were never made to restore it since then. However, both countries started a composite dialogue process to settle all disputes peacefully including restoration of communication links.
For the first six months, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Pakistani train rolled into India and now the Indian train will cross into Pakistan to Zero Point Railway station as it has been decided to operate the service on six-month basis.