NEW DELHI, April 5: Officials from India and Pakistan would meet this week in Islamabad to revive the defunct road link between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar, diplomatic sources said here on Monday.

It was not clear if the Kashmir-related road talks would be conducted by foreign ministry officials of both sides or would they be relegated to a technical level. Pakistan and India decided in principle to start the bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad but both countries have differences on travel documents that Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control would use.

India supports the use of passports and visas for the journey while Pakistan, apparently seeking to avoid any suggestion of approving the Line of Control (LoC) as the "international border" is believed to want United Nations to conduct the travel. Kashmiris say the use of passports and visas would not be acceptable to them.

Opinion

Respite needed

Respite needed

All one can fear is a familiar accounting exercise that aims to extract a few more rupees from a narrow, weary economic base.

Editorial

Soft on traders
08 Jun, 2026

Soft on traders

THE Fixed Tax Asaan Scheme for traders with an annual turnover of up to Rs200m has been designed as a ‘pragmatic...
Ceasefire in name
Updated 08 Jun, 2026

Ceasefire in name

Both sides accuse the other of violating the truce that was supposed to halt the conflict in April, yet neither appears willing to abandon negotiations altogether.
Damaged childhoods
08 Jun, 2026

Damaged childhoods

CHILD abuse is so prevalent that the UN ranked Pakistan as the least safe country for children. Even so, more than...
JAAC ban
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

JAAC ban

Though the JAAC’s demands are open to scrutiny, banning any political organisation — as long as it remains committed to peaceful activism — is undemocratic.
GB election
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

GB election

It is important that whichever party ultimately forms the government puts the needs of the people of GB above everything else.
ODI win
07 Jun, 2026

ODI win

AT last, the Pakistan cricket team had something to celebrate: a One-day International series victory against...