ISLAMABAD, March 9: At the end of the first day of the two-day talks between Pakistan and India to re-open Khokhrapar (Pakistan)-Munabao (India) bus service, Alok Rawat, joint secretary , India's ministry of road transport and highways, said the move will facilitate the people of both the sides.

The technical level talks started on Tuesday morning at the committee room of the ministry of communications. Musaddaq Muhammad Khan, joint secretary, ministry of communication led the Pakistan side while Mr Rawat headed the Indian delegation.

The Indian delegation also called on the federal secretary for communications, Iftikhar Rashid. Talking to the visiting guests Mr Rashid said technical level talks between the two countries would prove useful.

"Opening of Khokhrapar-Munabao bus service will greatly facilitate people of both the sides, particularly those living in interior of Sindh and Karachi and will also boost economic activity in the area," the federal communication secretary observed.

Earlier, Mr Musaddaq said this people-to-people contact had become possible due to confidence-building measures taken by the leadership of both the countries.

"Such measures are showing encouraging results and links between the people of Pakistan and India are being established. After Lahore-New Delhi bus service the technical level talks for starting Khokhrapar-Munabao bus service will further enhance cooperation between the two neighbouring countries," Mr Khan added.

Mr Rawat said the ongoing dialogue to start Khokhrapar-Munabao bus service will be fruitful. "Steps are underway for promoting cooperation in different sectors. Besides railway service, the bus service between Lahore and New Delhi is already in progress.