New Delhi, July 11: Carrying forward their peace initiatives, India and Pakistan today resumed the Delhi-Lahore bus services, snapped 18 months ago after terrorist attacks on Parliament on December 13, 2001, amid tight security and hopes of normalisation of bilateral relations. This is the second major step the two countries have taken after restoration of full diplomatic relations.

The bus services were flagged off from Delhi and Lahore almost simultaneously, a day after Pakistan`s New High Commissioner Aziz Ahmed Khan presented his credentials to President A P J Abdul Kalam. India`s High Commissioner to Pakistan Shiv Shanker Menon is expected to take up his assignment in Islamabad next week. Amid much fanfare, a luxurious golden-coloured Delhi Transport Corporation bus packed to capacity of 34, including 13 passengers and 19 media persons, left for Lahore from Ambedkar Stadium at 6.05 am.

Flagging off the bus, Union Surface Transport Minister B C Khanduri hoped it would help improve relations between the two countries.

"I hope better sense will prevail on Pakistan and it will stop cross-border infiltration", he said. Pakistan tourism development coordination bus carrying 31 people-- 22 passengers, six media persons. "Pakistan keenly awaits resumption of traffic between the two countries", Pakistani tourism minister said while flagging of the ` bus from Flattis Hotel terminal at 6:25am.

Bureau Report