From Pakistan with love: The Bus from Lahore arrives

The welcome was a pleasant one for the officials of the Pakistan Government who came to India, many for the first time. Of the 19 guests, 15 are government officials and four are drivers. And the first thing they said was that the roads in India were much better than they had expected. “Initially, there was some amount of tension over the fanatics swearing to kick up tension. But then, there are fanatics on both thesides. It was a very pleasant journey,” he added.

And Dr Tajul Islam Yousafzai, the general manager of the National Highway Authority, Islamabad, couldn’t stop commenting on the road-widening projects and the bridges on the way. “Much better than we had expected,” he said. But officers of the Pakistani side conceded that the plush Mitsubishi bus (IDF 7771) with a seating capacity of 24 persons, used on this trial run, was not the one going to be used when the actual service begins. “Actually, that would be more like the local buses here and in Pakistan,” Dr Yousafzai said.

But pleasantries apart, the officials are still to get down to the brass tacks. Asked about problems that could arise over the visa issue in the two countries, Imtiaz Syed, chairman and managing director, PTDC said that both the Governments had to sit down and discuss the issue in right earnest.

“For us, this is a commercial venture and we have to make it successful, come what may. Of course fanatics on both the sides of theborder are trying to stop this venture, but we have not given much importance to them,” he said.

Gulam Jaan, an immigration officer in Pakistan, said that the journey was pleasant and he was looking forward to more enjoyment in India. “I am looking forward to the trip to Agra,” he said. For Sayeed Ishtiaq, manager tourism in the Pakistan Government, it was a “happy homecoming”. He said that this was not his first trip to India. “I’ve come here before. That was in 1962. But this time, the reaction of the Government and the people was much better. Far more positive,” he said.

Sayeed Imtiaz, another Pakistani official, however, pointed out that such a venture would never be successful, if the two Governments did not sort out the visa issues. “The visa rules have to be relaxed by both the Governments and made more people-friendly. And then, we also have to discuss the fare issue. It is a commercial venture and profitability should be the key word on both the sides. But then why speculate; tomorrow weare meeting to discuss the issues,” he said.

“Of course, when both the Governments are willing and have the support of the people, it is bound to be a successful venture,” he added. Tired after an almost 14-hour journey (they started at 6.30 am from Lahore and reached a little after 9 pm), the guests from across the border were received by Delhi State Transport Minister Dr Parvez Hashmi with a glass of cool sharbat.

For Mansoor Alam, Tourism Officer, the three-day-long trip is too short a time to see India. “My family was very excited when they learnt that I was coming to India. They wanted to come too. In fact, sometime later in life, we will all come to India and see more than just Agra,” he said.

The Bus from Lahore stopped thrice between Lahore and New Delhi for lunch, tea and snacks. “The food in India is good. For some reason, we were expecting a different fare but the food is very similar to our food back home. Chicken korma, fish, rice and salad tasted just like back home,” headded. India, they said, felt like home away from home.