Samjhauta Express: Pakistan summons Indian envoy

"The Acting Deputy High Commissioner of India, Mr. Raghuram was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Dr. Mohammad Faisal, the Director General (South Asia) to express concern over the cancellation of operation of Samjhauta Express on October 8, 2015. The cancellation caused inconvenience to more than 200 passengers from Pakistan and India," Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"The Government of Pakistan has taken all necessary steps to accommodate the stranded Indian passengers, who were not permitted to cross the border yesterday," read the statement.

"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," it said.

Clarifying its stand on the cancellation of Samjhauta Express, India on Friday said the train was among 75 trains travelling through Punjab which were cancelled due to local agitation in the state.

In response to a question regarding reports in Pakistani media that Samjhauta Express was "stopped" by India on Oct 8, MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said: "Samjhauta Express was among 75 trains traveling through Punjab that were cancelled due to local agitation, including rail  blockade."

Swarup said Indian Railway authorities had earlier informed their Pakistani counterparts on the issue.

Swarup said: "Indian Railway authorities had informed in advance their Pakistani counterparts that the train would not be able to run in such a situation."

He said: "A number of Indians scheduled to travel to India from Pakistan today could not do so. The High  Commission of India in Islamabad is in touch with Government of Pakistan to ascertain their numbers and ensure that all necessary assistance is extended to them."

Swarup said: "MEA has requested Indian Railways to work with authorities concerned in Punjab to resolve the situation at the earliest, and put extra bogies for catering to stranded passengers on both sides for the next run of the train normally scheduled for 11-12/10."