LoC travel 'mother' of all CBMs

Published February 17, 2005

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.

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...