The launch of the bus service between Amritsar [Images] and Nankana Sahib in Pakistan has been deferred with Islamabad seeking postponement of the inaugural run from March 10 to March 24.

Pakistan has conveyed to India that its preparations for the service have not been completed and the inaugural run from Amritsar should be postponed to March 24, official sources said in New Delhi Monday.

Islamabad has requested that the inaugural run of the service from Nankana Sahib be undertaken on March 28, they said.

The Pakistani request has been accepted by India, the sources said.

The two countries had decided in January to run the bus service keeping in view the sentiments of the people of Punjab who have been seeking a direct transport link to Nankana Sahib, birthplace of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak.

A trial run of the service was conducted on January 27-28 and Indian officials, after travelling by the bus, had expressed satisfaction with regard to the arrangements by Pakistan.

Subsequently, it was decided that the service will start on March 10. The two countries have already launched a bus service between Amritsar and Lahore [Images], linking two sides of Punjab.