Govt allows phone links between Jammu and Kashmir, PoK
By Sanjay Garg | Wed, 10/19/2005 - 16:15
New Delhi--As a confidence building measures and as a good gesture, India has allowed phone links between Jammu & Kashmir and PoK. This will enable people to remain in contact with each other.
The Indian government has allowed phone links between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) for a fortnight beginning today.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has given special directions for the establishment for this facility, which will be available to people free of cost.
Four centres have been set up in Jammu, Srinagar, Uri and Tangdhar, from where the quake-hit families in Jammu and Kashmir can talk to their relatives in PoK.
Meanwhile, In another sign of India and Pakistan coming closer in the aftermath of last week's earthquake, Islamabad has finally appealed to New Delhi for help in dealing with the crisis.
Pakistan had earlier rejected India's appeal to send in helicopters for relief operations across the Line of Control, saying it could not allow the Indian Army choppers to enter parts of PoK.
But Pakistan President Parvez Musharraf has now said he is open to people from Kashmir crossing over to PoK to help with the reconstruction efforts.
[inline:1]India has welcomed the neighbouring country's decision, with Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran saying New Delhi believes in not letting the LoC serve as a barrier during times of emergency.
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