Passengers boarding the first train were happy over its revival. Two members of National Assembly - Anwar Bhutto of the PPPP and Ramesh Lal (Minorities) were among them.
Talking to journalists, they observed that this service would facilitate the divided families and strengthen friendship and peace process between the two countries. They were of the view that it would also provide an economical and cheaper mode of travelling to general public, saying this service would also leave good impact on business between the two states.
Amna, a resident of Delhi, told Business Recorder her visa was near to expire, and no ticket was available for bus service, so she bought ticket for this train.
Muhammad Usman of Hyderabad (Sindh), said that restoration of railway, road and air links would benefit public at large. He was of the view that rail link should never be suspended.
A 100-year-old woman, Maggi Begum, resident of Hyderabad, expressed her happiness over revival of train service, saying it would be of great advantage to those wanted to meet their relatives across the border.
Some other passengers also appreciated the wisdom of leadership of both the countries to negotiate peace process.
Samjhota Express will run twice a week with a capacity of 732 passengers. It will run on every Monday and Thursday from Lahore-Attari-Lahore. The train has seven Economy Class coaches, one First Class sleeper coach, and two coaches of economy-cum-luggage vans.
Earlier, Pakistan Railways (PR) Chairman Khurshid Ahmad Khan inaugurated the train. PR General Manager (Operations) Aurangzeb Khan and other senior PR officials were present on the occasion.
Khurshid Ahmad told newsmen that revival of this service would benefit people of both countries, adding this service would be beneficial for both countries at political, economic and social fronts, while visits and interactions could help remove reservations about each other.
He said the service has been revived on the basis of old agreement for a three-year period, and talks about any new agreement would be before time, adding the initiation of rail service through 'Khokhrapar' is difficult, as Pakistan has meter-gauge line there while Indians have broad-gauge. Unless both sides have the same track the service is difficult to be started, he claimed.
Giving the break-up of the rack and number of passengers, the PR chairman said the number of passengers on first train is low, but hopefully, the same would improve as and when visa restrictions are softened. In his opinion, the train could accommodate 1,000 to 1,200 passengers.
To a question, he said the wagons for freight transportation could be added in the same train, if needed.
Regarding the destinations in India and Pakistan for which tickets would be issued, he said it included Hassan Abdal, Hyderabad, Karachi Cantt, Karachi City, Lahore, Mirpur Khas, Nankana Sahib and Rawalpindi in Pakistan. While tickets would be made available for Indian cities of Ambala, Saharanpur, Delhi, Muradabad, Aligarh, Lucknow, Kanpur, and Allahabad.
Regarding change in fare, he said the fare could be changed according to the requirements of any country.
AFP adds: The train was decorated with Pakistani flags and buntings and authorities made special security arrangements along the 30-kilometre (18-mile) track from Lahore to the border town of Wagah.
Cheering crowds greeted the train as it pulled into Attari station with people hanging from the engine.
Hordes of photographers rushed onto the railway platform to greet the passengers, who waved from aboard the train as waiting crowds garlanded the train officials.
It made the return trip to Lahore six and a half hours later with 242 passengers from India, most of them heading to meet relatives in Pakistan.
Grinning passengers hailed the resumption of the twice-weekly train.
"The people of both the countries, their culture and language are the same. I just fail to understand why the politicians fight on petty issues," said Abdul Salim, a passenger from Indian state of Rajasthan.
Another passenger, Sakina Khatun and her sister Parveen, told the Hindustan Times newspaper they were going to Pakistan after five years to attend the marriage of a cousin.
Saima, a Pakistani national who had come to attend her sister-in-law's wedding in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, said she was glad the train had resumed as it was the most affordable way to travel.
"I will return to India in July by the Samjhota Express," she added.
A one-way economy class fare from Lahore to Attari is 50 rupees and 100 rupees for first class.
The Samjhota Express will run each Thursday and Monday from Lahore to Attari, returning the same day.