SIALKOT, July 20: Taking the Dosti Bus from New Delhi, an Indian IT graduate has reached Daska via Lahore to marry her cousin, a local trader.

Accompanied by father Habib Ahmad and mother, Saira travelled all the way from Muzzafar-nagar in India to Mitranwali village here to “strengthen relations between two divided families”.

Saleem Akhtar, Saira’s would-be husband, runs an embroidery shop in Daska. He told Dawn on Sunday that the wedding date is yet to be decided. “Both the families are very happy with the engagement,” he said.

His uncle and would-be father-in-law, Habib Ahmad, said Saleem was dear to him because he was the son of his sister who died in Mitranwali about 20 years ago.

He thanked the governments of Pakistan and India in restoring the bus route.

HABEAS CORPUS: A bailiff on Sunday recovered 18 labourers, including 10 women, from the illegal detention of brick kiln owner in Peero Chak village, Daska tehsil.

Sialkot district and sessions judge Chaudhry Zafar Hussain directed the Motra police to take stern action against kiln owner Muhammad Arif.