ATTARI: Having failed to understand why both India and Pakistan were fighting time and again despite sharing similar cultural backgrounds and even the problems, the Pakistan bound passengers pleaded to both governments to shed differences and instead work together to bring a new era of peace and love in the region.

A total of 42 passengers including 2 Indians were to leave for Pakistan on board Samjhauta Express but they were sent across the border by road after Pakistan unilateral decided to not continue with the international rail service.

Worried over future treatment of his daughter in India, Mohammad Amir told TOI on Thursday that his daughter had undergone a heart surgery in a Noida hospital. He said since India had much better medical services than Pakistan it would be difficult for his daughter and other patients to travel to India if the train service was not resumed soon. “We are coming here for medical treatment and our government is fighting , I don’t understand what is more important for a government” he said.

“Both countries have almost similar cultural background as well as problems, then why and what for we are fighting , why can’t we live like a peaceful neighbours and instead help each other to bring prosperity in both the countries” said Amir.

All the passengers on way to Pakistan were appreciative of the arrangements and treatment meted out to them by the administration for facilitating their journey to Pakistan by road after cancellation of Samjhauta Express.

Rizwana Parveen, another Pak national was of view “in sab dushmanio say mohabbataen to kam hongi ni, to dono mulko kay hukamran apas may kyun kartay hai ( The love bond between the people wouldn’t go away with such skirmishes and bitterness then why the governments of both countries indulge in fight). She expressed hope that good sense would prevail upon the governments of both nations . “At least for the sake of people who were divided between two nations, let’s live in peace” she said.

While ruling out any possibility of existence of both countries without each other, Faislabad, Pakistan , resident Mohammad Aziz said “There are so many relatives spread across the borders in both countries and no one could even think of existence of one country without the other, we may be divided by man made boundaries but we have our loved ones in both countries”.

Deputy commissioner Shivdular Singh Dhillon along with senior superintendent of police ,Amritsar , rural, Parmapal Singh were at Attari railway station to ensure that passengers didn’t face any problem . Parampal said the administration had provided them with security and escort vehicle up to Attari land border.

