In a bid to strengthen ties with Pakistan, the transport department of the government of Jammu and Kashmir has welcomed the faster clearance of transit permits for the bus service to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK).
Nostalgia ruled hearts when long separated cousins from both countries got to meet each other due to the regular bus service that has emerged out of strengthened bonds between the two countries.
Citing confidence from both nations that is apparent in the faster clearance of permits, Custodian of Cross Line of Control (LOC) Travel, Chakan Da Bagh in Poonch district, Mohammed Bashir Lone, predicted flourishing ties.
"The CBM (Confidence Building Measure) is running smoothly from both the countries and it is flourishing everyday. Both the nations are expressing confidence towards the CBM and while earlier the clearance used to take two to two and half years, now we procure the clearance in maximum three months by the grace of God," he said.
"I am feeling great after I met my brothers and sisters whom I had not met for long. I liked the place and I don't feel like going back. I feel like coming back to India to be able to stand by my cousins when they need me," said a passenger from Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Mohd. Takeel.
Frontier violence had taken a toll on the trade and travel between the two nations on earlier occasions and this appears a welcoming step towards easing the existent Line of Control (LOC) tensions.
Diplomats from both nations met earlier to form a Joint Working Group to work for the enhancement in India-Pakistan relationship.
