New Delhi: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to restore the stopped 'Dosti' bus service between the two countries in 2022, a step that would help alleviate the travel hardships of those living across the two nations' border, as per the media reports on Monday.
During a recent visit by an Afghan delegation led by interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, the decision was made to restart the bus service by early next year.
According to The Express Tribune, the bus service between Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Jalalabad, Afghanistan, will restart early next year.
The Afghan delegation's top official stated that the security forces of both nations are awaiting final approval for the bus operation to resume.
“The Pakistani side welcomed the Afghan interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s request for resumption of Dosti bus services and assured that at most by the start of the next year, the bus service will resume,” the official was quoted by The Express Tribune in its report.
In 2016, the bus service between the two nations was suspended.
According to the article, the reintroduction of the service will assist to reduce foot traffic at border crossings and will benefit Afghan residents living in or near Jalalabad.
The visiting envoy also indicated an interest in launching similar services in the Balochistan region.
“Talks have taken place on the resumption of bus services between the two sides. All outstanding issues have been addressed”, the report further said.
Pakistan has recently taken a number of goodwill initiatives, including making it easier for Afghan students to travel.
(With inputs from PTI)