Pakistan suspends final rail link to India over Kashmir dispute

After Samjhauta Express, railways minister announces Thar Express will also be shut down

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Friday it will halt the last train service running to India, amid rising tension between the neighbours over New Delhi's decision to revoke the special status of Indian-occupied Kashmir.

"We have decided to shut down the Thar Express as well," Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed told reporters, in reference to the weekly service running between the towns of Khokrapar in Pakistan and Monabao in India.

"As long as I am railways minister, no train will operate between Pakistan and India," added Rasheed.

Govt suspends Samjhauta Express; bans Bollywood movies

The move came a day after the government of Pakistan decided to shut the Samjhauta Express rail service between Lahore and New Delhi.

At a press conference on Thursday, Rashid announced the train service between Pakistan and India had been stopped immediately and the passengers, who were scheduled to depart from Lahore on Thursday, had been shifted to Wagah border for their onward journey.

Also on Thursday, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said in a tweet that screening of Indian films in the country’s cinemas would be banned. “No Indian movie will be screened in any Pakistani cinema. Drama, films and Indian content of this kind will be completely banned in Pakistan."