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{{short description|Passenger bus service}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
The '''Srinagar–Muzaffarabad Bus''' ({{lang-hi|श्रीनगर मुज़फ़्फ़राबाद बस}}, {{lang-ur|{{nastaliq|سری نگر مُظفّر آباد بس}}}}) is a passenger [[bus]] service connecting [[Srinagar]], the summer capital of the Indian-administered union territory of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] with [[Muzaffarabad]], the capital of the Pakistani-administered territory of [[Pakistan-occupied Kashmir]] across the [[Line of Control]] (LoC)<ref name="H">{{cite web |title=India, Pakistan seal deal on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050219034041/http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2005-02-19 |date=2005-02-17 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref><ref name="I">{{cite web |title=Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service to be weekly |url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/04/25/0804251523_rs-indopak.html |publisher=[[Press Trust of India]], Indiainfo.com |date=2005-04-25 |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref><ref name="I2">{{cite web |title=PM flags off Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service on April 7 |url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2005/03/12/1203pakbus.html |publisher=[[Press Trust of India]], Indiainfo.com |date=2005-03-12 |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>—the boundary line denoting rival areas of control in the [[Kashmir conflict|disputed region of Kashmir]], but which is not an official [[international border]]. The bus is of symbolic importance to the efforts of the two nations' governments to foster peaceful and friendly relations and follows the success of the [[Delhi–Lahore Bus]], which was launched in 1999.

==Background==
Since the [[First Kashmir War]] (1947–48), travel and communication between what became [[Pakistan administered Kashmir]] and Indian-administered Kashmir were indefinitely suspended. The region was a major [[theatre of war]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1965]] and [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|1971]]. In the 1990s, the Line of Control was the scene of exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Indian forces and [[infiltration tactics|infiltration]] of [[Terrorism in Kashmir|militants]] into Indian Kashmir.

The idea of the Srinagar–Muzaffarabad Bus was inspired by the success of the Delhi–Lahore Bus, established in 1999, as well as other cross-border transport initiatives such as the [[Samjhauta Express]] and the [[Thar Express]].<ref name="P">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/jul/14inpak34.htm|title=Delhi-Lahore bus: A symbol of peace|last=Peer|first=Basharat|date=14 July 2001|work=rediff.com|publisher=Rediff.com India limited|accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref> However, the proposal was not considered until after the normalisation of bilateral relations following the [[2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff]], during which the Delhi–Lahore Bus had also been suspended.<ref name="RD">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/feb/20samblast2.htm|title=Delhi-Lahore bus leaves for Pak|date=20 February 2007|work=[[rediff.com]]|publisher=Rediff.com India limited|accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref><ref name="C">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1731919.stm|title=India-Pakistan buses close down|last=Sen|first=Ayanjit|date=28 December 2001|work=BBC News|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref>

==Finalisation of bus link==
The proposal was placed under official consideration by both countries in 2003 and was supported by the ongoing [[ceasefire]] and peace talks between militants and Indian forces as well as [[Kashmiri people]] who wanted to visit relatives separated since the 1947–48 war that divided the region. The Pakistani government under President [[Pervez Musharaff]] began extensive talks with the administration of Indian Prime Minister [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]], which were continued by the administration of Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh|Dr. Manmohan Singh]], who succeeded Vajpayee in 2004.<ref name="H"/> The official agreement was promulgated on February 16, 2005, when then-Indian Minister of External Affairs [[K. Natwar Singh]] visited the then-Pakistani President Pervez Musharaff in [[Rawalpindi]], Pakistan.<ref name="H"/> The decision was announced along with agreements on starting a new bus service connecting the Pakistani city of [[Lahore]] and the Indian city of [[Amritsar]], establishing the [[Thar Express]] train service and opening respective [[consulate]]s in the cities of [[Karachi]], Pakistan, and [[Mumbai]], India.<ref name="H"/>

The Indian official position viewed the bus service as a "humanitarian measure without prejudice" and not affecting the rival policies and stands of the two governments on the Kashmir conflict.<ref name="H"/> To make the bus safe and fully operational, the LoC would be [[demined]] if and where necessary and other security arrangements would be made as well.<ref name="H"/> Both governments announced that the bus service could be used by Indian and Pakistani citizens wishing to travel anywhere in Indian Kashmir and Pakistani Kashmir, including the [[Northern Areas of Pakistan]], which are part of India's claim on Kashmir and pre-1947 Kashmir.<ref name="H"/>

==Bus service details==
The bus runs a distance of 170 kilometres (110 mi).<ref name="I2"/> The bus service was officially launched on April 7, 2005 and was flagged-off by the [[Indian Prime Minister]] [[Dr. Manmohan Singh]].<ref name="H"/><ref name="I2"/> In India, all citizens would have to apply at the Regional Passport Office in [[Srinagar]], which was the designated authority to evaluate applications, verify identities and issue entry permits.<ref name="H"/> The Indian government has proposed improving travel permit procedures, increasing the frequency of the bus service to weekly instead of a fortnight,<ref name="I"/> and starting bus services connecting [[Kargil town|Kargil]], India, with [[Skardu]], Pakistan, and [[Jammu]], India, with [[Sialkot]], Pakistan.<ref name="I"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{International Bus Services from India}}
{{Indo-Pakistani relations}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Bus}}
[[Category:India–Pakistan relations]]
[[Category:Bus transport in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Bus transport in India]]
[[Category:Kashmir conflict]]
[[Category:2005 introductions]]
[[Category:Transport in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir]]
[[Category:Tourism in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir]]
[[Category:Transport in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:International bus transport in Asia]]
[[Category:Transport in Srinagar]]

Srinagar–Muzaffarabad Bus - Revision history

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