India proposes train between Attari and Ajmer to ferry Pakistani pilgrims to Ajmer Sharif Dargah

Every year, several Pakistani pilgrims enter the Indian borders to visit Islamic shrines across the country. One such revered and famous shrine thronged by several Pakistani nationals is Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah in Ajmer. In the past, several Pakistani presidents and ministers have visited the dargah to pay their respect at the resting place of the saint.
The nine-day 808th Urs Festival, which commemorates the death anniversary of Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti will start on February 24 and end on March 5, 2020.
According to news reports, India has proposed a train service to enable Pakistani pilgrims to travel from Attari on the Indian border in Punjab to Ajmer in Rajasthan. Meanwhile, Pakistan has not yet responded to the proposal.

The ties between Indian and Pakistan weakened as a consequence of India’s decision to revoke the special status given to Kashmir under a temporary constitutional provision in August 2019. Pakistan reacted to this move by withholding the movement of Samjhauta Express train, which connects Lahore with Delhi as well as the Thar Express train that links Khokhrapar in Pakistan and Munabao in Rajasthan, India.

However, a few months ago, India and Pakistan opened a land corridor to enable Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the holy Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara, which is the site where the first Sikh Guru, Nanak Dev, spent 18 years of his life until his death in Kartarpur.