India Likely To Run A Special Train For Pakistani Pilgrims

Every year, the town of Ajmer in Rajasthan, observes the Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, to commemorate the death anniversary of the 13^th century Sufi saint, which draws a large number of pilgrims not only from India but also from abroad, including Pakistan.

The 808th anniversary of the Urs will be held between February 24 and March 5 this year.

According to media reports, to assist Pakistani pilgrims who want to visit the Urs at Ajmer in 2020, the Indian government is planning to start a special train service between Punjab’s Attari on the Indo-Pak border and Ajmer. However, travellers will have to adhere to rules and conditions (like valid passport and visa) laid down for the purpose and will have to buy tickets for the journey.

No confirmation has been received yet from the Union external affairs ministry, media reports said.  

One may recall, the Pakistan government stopped the train and bus services between the two countries last year, after the Indian government revoked the special status granted to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir (now re-organised as a union territory with Ladakh forming a separate union territory). Prior to the closure, the Samjhauta Express used to run between Lahore and Delhi, and the Thar Express between Pakistan’s Khokhrapar and India’s Munabao (Rajasthan).

However, recently both the countries had agreed to open a land corridor across the international border so that Sikh pilgrims in India could visit Pakistan’s Kartarpur, associated with the memories of Guru Nanak, who breathed his last here.