ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: Pakistan and India on Tuesday agreed to start the Thar Express next month, the foreign ministry said. “The two sides signed an agreement for establishment of rail link via zero point railway station near Khokhrapar and Munabao,” it said in a joint statement after two days of talks between railway officials.

The Thar Express would run every Saturday and return the same day, it said.

The train service will start on Feb 18.

The 12km line will connect Munabao in India’s western state of Rajasthan and Khokhrapar to help divided families.

Earlier, the two countries had launched the Samjhota Express between Attari and Lahore in January 2004.—AFP