ISLAMABAD, Oct 09 (DNA): Pakistan on Friday summoned a senior Indiandiplomat to convey concern over cancellation of a cross-border train service, officials said. The Delhi-bound “Samjhota Express,” carrying both Indian and Pakistani passengers, was called back from the Wagah border on Thursday after
Indian authorities informed Pakistani officials of unruly farmers protest on the Indian side of the border. Indian farmers were holding demonstration to press for demands for compensation in view of destruction of their cotton crop, according to Indian media.

A spokesman for the Pakistan Railways says the train will now depart
for Delhi on Monday.

“The Acting Deputy High Commissioner of India, Mr. Raghuram was
summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express concern over
the cancellation of operation of Samjhauta Express on October 8,
2015,” the Foreign Ministry said.

“The cancellation caused inconvenience to more than 200 passengers
from Pakistan and India,” a Foreign Ministry statement quoted Dr.
Mohammad Faisal, the Director General (South Asia), as telling the
Indian diplomat.

Pakistani authorities issued special certificates to allow the Indian
nationals, whose visas to visit Pakistan were expired, to extend their
stay in the country till Monday.

“The Government of Pakistan has taken all necessary steps to
accommodate the stranded Indian passengers, who were not permitted to
cross the border yesterday,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

“We expect the Indian side to make utmost efforts to avoid recurrence
of such incidents in future and facilitate the travellers from
Pakistan and India.”

The Pakistan Railways spokesman Rauf Tahir said the train carrying 193
Pakistani and Indian nationals.

Deadliest bomb attacks on the Samjhota Express in February 2007 on the
Indian side of the border had killed 68 people including 42
Pakistanis.

Pakistan has been demanding punishment to those involved in the
terrorist attack, blamed on extremist Hindus.