Muzaffarabad-Gilgit bus service launched.

MUZAFFARABAD -- Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid on Thursday flagged off a bus service between Muzaffarabad and Gilgit to revive historical relations and harmony between the peoples of the two regions.

A grand ceremony to mark the launch of bus service was held here on the premises of the newly built prime minister's house, with a large number of people, including AJK cabinet and assembly members and senior civil servants, were present on the occasion.

Earlier, reports had suggested that Mr Khurshid would receive the passengers of the maiden trip at the seat of his government in Gilgit. However, it was a pleasant surprise for the audience to see Mr Khurshid arriving at the venue along with Mr Ilyas.

Mr Khurshid said he could not say no to PM Ilyas who insisted him to attend the ceremony in Muzaffarabad.

After speeches inside a hall, both leaders cut a ribbon and made supplications in front of the two buses of Northern Areas Transport Corporation (Natco) decorated with balloons, posters and AJK flags. They also waved to most of the 51 passengers, including some AJK government officials, as they boarded the buses for their celebrated journey.

AJK transport authority secretary Chaudhry Mukhtar Ahmed told reporters that all passengers of the inaugural trip had been offered complimentary tickets by...