More flights, trains, buses to Pak

Instead, the MEA has agreed to allow Punjab Roadways to run services from Amritsar to the border checkpost at Wagah (a distance of 30-odd km), every hour from 8 am to 4 pm, March 20 to 25, primarily to cater to the rush that is expected for the two matches in Lahore that will take place between March 21-24. However, the MEA has still not taken a decision on the Pakistani request to hold one additional visa camp, probably at Amritsar.

Today’s inter-ministerial meeting, held between officials from the Ministries of External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Road Transport, Customs & Immigration, also decided that Indian Airlines, DTC as well as Indian Railways would get in touch with their respective counterparts for extra services to cater to the temporary additional load.

Under the circumstances, Indian Airlines and PIA could operate as many as four extra direct flights to Karachi and Lahore. Possibility also exists for direct flights to Peshawar, depending on the condition of the airfield.

Pakistan’s decision to offer 8,250 visas (1,500 for Karachi, 1,000 for Rawalpindi, 750 for Peshawar and 5,000 for Lahore over two matches) means that a three-day visa will be given against a ticket for a one-day international, while a seven-day visa will be given for a test match.