Border tensions hitting India-Pakistan trade, say Pakistan traders

JALANDHAR: The heightened tension at the international border is impacting the bilateral trade between India and Pakistan, Pakistani traders said today.

Pakistani traders, who were here to take part in an exhibition, said that it was difficult to get visas in such situations.

They said that businessmen and people from both the countries want peace and firing at the borders are impacting business interest of both the countries.

"Over 150 Pakistani traders had applied for visas to participate in the joint exhibition here. But only 26 managed to get visas which is possibly due to firing at the border," Lahore-based businesswoman Zubaida told PTI.

Another Pakistani textile trader Ahmed said "certainly" border tensions have impacted business relations this time.

Last time, he said, when the traders came for participation in the fair, "we did not face any visa related issues. This time only a few people get visas and that only for 10 days".

Eight persons have been killed and nearly 90 others injured in mortar shelling and firing by Pakistan troops from October 1-9 along the international borders in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts forcing over 32,000 people from 113 border hamlets to flee.