Saturday, March 25 2006 09:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: According a rousing reception to the Amritsar-Nankana Sahib bus, Pakistan yesterday (Mar 24, 2006) said efforts were on to set up consulates in Lahore and Amritsar to speed up visa processing and plans were afoot to start a bus service between Amritsar and the Sikh pilgrim centre of Hasan Abdal.

The bus carrying 42 passengers, which was flagged off by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Amritsar, was received by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Muhammad Ejazul Haq, Punjab Tourism Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal, Transport Minister Rana Shamshad and Lahore District 'Nazim' Mian Amir Mehmood.

Hundreds of school children carrying Pakistani and Indian flags were also present to welcome them.

"I, along with other ministers and district nazim, have come to welcome you all on behalf of our President, Prime Minister and the Punjab (Pakistan) Chief Minister," Haq, son of former military ruler Ziaul Haq, told Punjab Transport Minister Mohindar Singh K P who travelled in the bus.

Later, talking to media men, Haq said efforts are on for softening visa policy between Pakistan and India, as well as setting up visa consulates in Lahore and Amritsar.

Both sides are also considering to start a bus service between Amritsar and Hasan Abdal, another Sikh pilgrimage centre in Pakistan, he was quoted as saying by the official APP news agency.