New York: US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he encouraged India and Pakistan to work out their differences in separate meetings with their prime ministers this week.
“I said, ‘Fellas, work it out. Just work it out,’” Trump told a news conference after attending the UN General Assembly.
“Those are two nuclear countries. They’ve gotta work it out,” he said.
Tensions have soared this year between India and Pakistan, which have fought three full-fledged wars, two over the divided Himalayan territory of Kashmir.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month revoked the Muslim-majority region’s autonomy and imposed a clampdown that has snapped off most Internet and cellular communications to ordinary people.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the United States to take up Kashmir, but India has long refused outside mediation.
Trump showed his support on Sunday for Modi by attending a rally with him before Indian-Americans in Houston, where the Hindu nationalist leader accused Pakistan of fomenting extremism.
Trump urges India, Pakistan to ‘work out’ differences on Kashmir
Trump urges India, Pakistan to ‘work out’ differences on Kashmir
- Pakistan has urged the US to take up Kashmir, but India has long refused outside mediation
- Tensions have soared between Pakistan and India since August 5 over the disputed Kashmir valley
Pakistan launches double-decker buses in Karachi after 65 years to tackle transport woes
- Karachi citizens will be able to travel in double-decker buses from Jan. 1, says Sindh government
- City faces mounting transport challenges such as lack of buses, traffic congestion, poorly built roads
ISLAMABAD: The government in Sindh province on Wednesday launched double-decker buses in the provincial capital of Karachi after a gap of 65 years, vowing to improve public transport facilities in the metropolis.
Double-decker buses are designed to carry more passengers than single-deck vehicles without taking up extra road space. The development takes place amid increasing criticism against the Sindh government regarding Karachi’s mounting public transport challenges and poor infrastructural problems.
Pakistan’s largest city by population faces severe transportation challenges due to overcrowding in buses, traffic congestion and limited bus options. Commuters, as a result, rely on private vehicles or unregulated transport options that are often unsafe and expensive.
“Double-decker buses have once again been introduced for the people of Karachi after 65 years,” a statement issued by the Sindh information ministry said.
Sindh Transportation Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah inaugurated the bus service. The ministry said the facility will be available to the public starting Jan. 1.
The statement highlighted that new electric bus routes will also be launched across the entire province starting next week. It added that the aim of introducing air-conditioned buses, low-fare services, and fare subsidies is to make public transport more accessible to the people.
The ministry noted that approximately 1.5 million people travel daily in Karachi using the People’s Bus Service, while around 75,000 passengers use the Orange Line and Green Line BRT services.
“With the integration of these routes, efforts are being made to benefit up to 100,000 additional people,” the ministry said.
