AMRITSAR, Jan 20: A bus from Lahore arrived here on Friday, marking the launch of a third bus link between Pakistan and India aimed at building confidence and strengthening their slow-moving peace process.

Passengers were given a rousing reception from crowds gathered at the Wagah border post when the bus rolled onto Indian soil at 11:27am (0557 GMT), witnesses said.

Indian officials showered rose petals on the bus, which was decorated with garlands and balloons, and on the 26 passengers. The vehicle then continued its journey to Amritsar.

Firdos Alam, a Pakistani communications ministry official who led his country’s delegation,

said his government had proposed to India that a visa counter be set up at the Wagah border post so that passengers would not have to go to New Delhi and Islamabad to obtain visas for future trips.—AFP

Our Staff Reporter adds from Lahore: Earlier, the first Lahore-Amritsar bus left the Pakistani soil amid drum beats.

Punjab Tourism Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal saw off the bus from the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation bus terminal in Gulberg.

The passengers, including four Indian visitors and a Pakistani troupe, were jubilant being part of the inaugural journey.

The seven-member troupe led by folk singer Reshma said artistes were happy over the start of the bus route, adding that it would help end misunderstandings and strengthen relations between the two peoples.

She said that she and her family were going to visit shrines in Ajmer Sharif and Mumbai.