January 28, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 27, 1426

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SHEIKHUPURA, Jan 27: The trial run of the Amritsar-Nankana bus was described as ‘successful’ by Indian and Pakistan authorities on Friday. The bus carrying 12 Indian government officials reached Nankana Sahib in the afternoon. The guest were warmly welcomed, first at Wagha and then at Nankana.

East Punjab transport secretary Sardar A R Talwar Singh told newsmen that the service between Amritsar and Nankana would provide a great opportunity to Sikh pilgrims to visit more conveniently their holy places in Pakistan.

He further said that after the successful operation of Amritsar-Lahore and Amritsar-Nankana bus services, they might consider similar operations for Katas (Chakwal) and Panja Sahib (Hassanabdal).

After performing religious rites at Gurdawara Janam Asthan, the delegation left for Lahore in the evening.

Another bus from Nankana Sahib to Amritsar will operate on Feb 6.

Talwar Sigh disclosed that after the trial run the regular service would begin in the third week of next month. He said the bus from Nankana would operate on Tuesday and return on Wednesday. From Amritsar the operation would be on Friday and return journey on Saturday.

He said the fair of the bus from Indian side would be Rs 900 per passenger and from Pakistan side Rs 1200.

He said visa procedure would be made simple and convenient for every visitor. He said both the governments were considering to set up visa centres in Lahore and Amritsar.