ISLAMABAD, June 24: The Lahore-New Delhi bus service will restart in late July or early August, the minister of state for tourism, sports and culture, Rais Munir Ahmed, said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Ahmed said that the PTDC, in collaboration with the ministries of foreign affairs and tourism, had made all administrative and operational arrangements for the resumption of the service.

Ruling out resumption of the service from July 1, Mr Ahmed said that easing in the visa policy of both the countries would also take some more time.

He said that the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation would be conducting the operation, adding that the PTDC had been instructed to be ready for this venture.

The agreement for the Lahore-Delhi bus service was singed on Feb 12, 1999.

The minister said that the PTDC was purchasing two more 42-seat busses to supplement its two-bus fleet of two busses. The buses, he added, would be painted with Pakistan’s flag colours.

He said that Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali would inaugurate the bus service.

A technical team, comprising three PTDC officials, had recently visited India to sort out technical and financial problems, adding that they had also held meetings with their Indian counterparts from the Delhi Transport Corporation.

Referring to provision of better facilities for passengers, he said that restaurants and waiting rooms in Lahore were being renovated.

He said that passports of crew members and security staff had been forwarded to Indian authorities for clearances and visa formalities, adding that both countries had already exchanged lists of their respective staff likely to be involved in the resumption of the bus service.