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Pakistan suggests dates for talks on rail link

B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has proposed technical-level talks on the Khokrapar-Munnabao rail route, linking Sindh with Rajasthan, from December 11 to 15.

The talks are scheduled to be held in New Delhi. Both sides have agreed, in principle, to begin the rail link by January 1.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam told the media that Pakistan awaited confirmation from India on the proposed dates. According to diplomatic sources New Delhi should not have any problems with the dates.The talks, to be attended by Railway officials from both sides, would cover issues such as frequency of the train service, the fares and the issue of visas.

The train service along with proposed opening of the Karachi and Mumbai consulates around the time would be of immense help to the people of Sindh province and the port city of Karachi.

It is estimated that nearly 90 per cent of the Indian visa seekers hail from the province of Sindh and city of Karachi. People from the province have to travel all the way to Islamabad to obtain visas and traverse through Punjab to visit Rajasthan.

The Karachi consulate was shut down in the mid-90s after Pakistan accused it of indulging in activities inimical to the interests of the country.

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