ISLAMABAD, FEB 16: The supporting travel document for the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service starting this April is a one page permit titled: 'LoC Crossing Permit' that would be issued by the local authorities at the two focal points.
A specimen of the permit approved by the Indian and Pakistani governments, a copy of which was obtained by Dawn on Wednesday, shows that it is a simple form. It requires the following details from an applicant - name, father's name, date and place of birth, address (present and permanent) places to be visited, addresses during stay, telephone contact (if any) and duration of visit. A photograph and impression of the right hand thumb are also required.
It is learnt that a representative each from the Indian occupied Kashmir and Azad Jammu Kashmir would be nominated by the two governments soon to work out the modalities of starting the bus service and other necessary details at an early date.
Indian foreign secretary Shayam Sarna told a press conference here on Wednesday that besides Kashmiris, the bus service would also be open to Indian and Pakistani nationals.
However, he made it clear that no foreigner would be allowed to use it. The travel permit would only be valid for the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route, the Indian foreign secretary said.
After the formal announcement of the bus service when the Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Navtej Sarna was asked by a journalist why the date of April 7 had been indicated for the commencement of the Kashmir bus service, he smiled and said: "Lenin was also asked why November 7, and he said 6th would be too early and 8th too late!" He saw the agreement on the Kashmir bus service as "the mother" of all CBMs.
