The Pakistani and Indian passengers on the "goodwill bus" squarely blame the politicians of both the countries for spoiling the fabric of trust and harmony weaved by the progressive forces.

Mohammed Iqbal, a leading Rotarian of Faisalabad who has visited India thrice, but crossed over to India first time on the bus, calls the Kargil flare-up a political drama. Questioning the integrity of the politicians, he asks, "Why have they failed to honour the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Treaty?"

Iqbal emphasised on diplomatic solution for the Kashmir problem. He said, "The people of both the countries have acquired wisdom of looking beyond the scenario presented to the world. The Opposition parties are hunting for political mileage on this issue. This is only a mediasensation."

Abdul Hamid Shamsher, a vendor of Lahore, who is going to visit relatives in Delhi said, "I have not realised any bitterness against India in the mind of Pakistani people," he concluded in one sentence.

Abdul Hamid said he had not seen any army movement on Pakistan side near the border. He described the situation on surface as normal. "Kargil was issue of political arena only," he observed. He desired that Kargil offensive should end as soon as possible.

Sajid Ali Qadri of Maharashtra, who had gone to Pakistan to collect material for his doctorate on Quran, said, "During his two-week stay in Pakistan, he had not witnessed any sentimental change after Kargil flare-up." He, however, said that certain fundamentalists had blamed Indian Muslims of having been influenced by the Hindu ideology.

Qadri said Pakistan was much behind India in development. "After returning from Pakistan, I can surely say Muslims are more safe and respected in India than in their own homeland," he opined.

Number ofpassengers having rural background expressed unawareness about the Kargil battle. "We don't know anything," was the reply of two brothers coming from countryside Merpur.

The immigration authorities said that there was no decline in passenger traffic on Delhi-Lahore bus route. "Rather no tickets are available till June 16," immigration officials disclosed by quoting sources of Delhi Transport Corporation.