February 12, 2006	Sunday	Muharram 13, 1427

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LAHORE, Feb 11: The Pakistan government’s 10-member delegation on Saturday left for Amritsar on board the Nankana Sahib-Amritsar bus to check the international route as well as facilities for passengers.

The delegation, led by Punjab Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) managing director Hashim Khan, had left Nankana Sahib at 8am and could cross the Wagah border at around mid-day.

The delegation included three joint secretaries from the ministries of communication, interior and minorities as well as Nankana Sahib district coordination and district police officers.

It will return Lahore after an overnight stay in Amritsar on Sunday (today).

Talking to reporters at Wagah border, PTDC MD Mr Khan said that an option of one visa for all Saarc countries was being discussed at Saarc countries level. He said this proposal was agreed upon by all tourism ministers of Saarc countries.

Following this reciprocal trial-run of the bus service, Mr Khan said the regular service of Amritsar-Nankana Sahib was expected to begin from Amritsar on Feb 24. He, however, said that final date would be decided in a meeting in Amritsar.

It may be mentioned that Mr Khan also carried filtered water bottles called Pak-Amrit bearing a photograph of Baba Guru Nanak. He said that he had collected the water from a spring near Punja Sahib and got it filtered.

He said this filtered water bottles would be available for Sikh yatris in Nankana Sahib. He said that all profit from the filtered water bottles project would go to the Gurdwara.