LAHORE, Jan 24: The first bus from Amritsar arrived here on Tuesday, carrying 39 passengers, including 16 members of an Indian delegation. The first Pakistani bus had gone to Amritsar on Jan 20. The Amritsar bus passengers were given a warm welcome at Wagah border and the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation bus terminal in Gulberg.

The Lahore City District Government hosted a dinner for the Indian delegation at a local restaurant.

Talking to journalists at Wagah border, Indian Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said that she and others would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to resolve the issue of establishment of visa points in Amritsar and Lahore.

She said that she wanted that peoples of both Punjabs should be provided maximum travel facilities so that they could come closer and end differences.

She said the bus service had brought the dream of Punjab residents’ dream come true. She said that the bus service would help strengthen love and peace among the people of both neighbouring countries.

Ms Bhattal said that the bus service would also greatly benefit the farmers and traders because trade and tourism were bound to boom.

Indian Punjab Excise and Taxation Minister Sardar Sardool Singh said it was an atmosphere of jubilation when they crossed over to Wagah from Indian soil. “I have no plans to impose taxes on this bus service,” he said smilingly.