Saturday, October 15 2005 10:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: The train carrying relief goods donated by India for Pakistan's earthquake victims arrived in Lahore from Attari last night (Oct 14, 2005).

Counseller Political in the Indian High Commission Gitesh Sarma along with Pakistan Foreign Ministry officials formally received the train, Indian High Commission officials here said.

Sarma formally handed over the relief goods to Punjab's Minister for Agricultural Marketing Rana Qasim, who was present at the Lahore station to receive the material.

Qasim thanked India for sending the goods.

This is the second consignment of humanitarian aid from India and included tents, blankets and plastic sheets.

The first consignment of 25 tonnes of relief supplies was sent by India on October 10 by an IL-76 transport aircraft.

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said in New Delhi yesterday that it was decided to send the second consignment by train in view of the higher haulage capacity and also not to add to the overcrowding at Islamabad airport where international relief traffic is very high.

India also decided to permit relief materials being sent by private organisations and international NGOs to Pakistan for people affected by the killer earthquake and soon dispatch a third consignment of relief supplies.

The third consignment will be sent soon, possibly by train in view of its higher haulage capacity. This will include tents, blankets, medicines and fortified biscuits.