Narcotics smuggling takes toll on Indo-Pak LoC trade; Movement of trucks and buses affected

SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI: Cross Line of Control (LoC) trade and bus services -- among the key Indo-Pak Confidence Building Measures (CBM) that has stood the test of time -- now hangs in balance after being put on hold following bilateral stand-off over narcotics smuggling.

Even as the Foreign Offices of the two countries are engaged in consultations through summoning of respective Deputy High Commissioners, there are no early signs that the stalemate would be resolved soon.

South Block sources told ET that the ball was now in the court of Islamabad after they escalated the row by preventing movement of Indian truckers and bus services. “Indian authorities have been holding negotiations with Pakistani counterparts and now they have to take the call on addressing the issue after escalating the issue,” a senior official noted.

Pakistan on its part Friday said it is keen on resolving the impasse, which it described as the “first test” of the arrangement on contacts and movement of goods between the two sides of the region.

Ever since these CBMs were put in place last decade this was first time when movement of trucks and buses has been affected. The 2008 terror attacks also did not impact either cross-LoC trade or bus service.

Ahead of Lok Sabha elections when momentum in political ties has slowed down, the two sides decided to focus on commerce and trade. However, the incident that was triggered by the narcotic smuggling by Pakistani into India has been dampener, government officials pointed out. Pakistani Commerce Minister and Commerce Secretary recently visited Delhi to discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade.

This was preceded by the visit of all-powerful Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab (Pakistan ) Chief Minister and brother of Nawaz Sharif, Pakistani PM. Sharif, had also focused on enhancing bilateral trade. Indian authorities last Friday seized over 114 packets of brown sugar in international market) hidden in a truck carrying nuts from the Pakistani side. Pakistan in a tit for tat action halted cross-border trade and bus services across the LoC immediately.

While 21 Indian truck drivers are stranded in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, 49 Pakistani drivers and trucks are stranded in Jammu and Kashmir. All the 49 truck drivers from Pakistan are currently housed in Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) Slamabad, between Uri and the Kaman in Jammu and Kashmir. Local traders association has extended them assistance for food.