20-member trade delegation cross over to India

KAMAN POST: A 20-member business delegation from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) crossed the Line of Control (LoC) here on Thursday and expressed their hope that intra-Kashmir trade will strengthen the peace process between India and Pakistan.

"We have come with message of peace and prosperity. We hope that intra-Kashmir trade will strengthen the peace process and help in resolving all issues," Zulfikar Abassi, who is leading the trade delegation from Azad Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told reporters immediately after crossing 'Aman Sethu' (peace bridge).

Abassi said while the chamber was not satisfied with the present list of exchange items, it hopes that the volume of trade across the LoC would be substantial and not symbolic as more than one crore people would be associated with it.

"Though we are not happy with the present list of items to be exchanged through LoC, the list are subject to review every three months... we are here to talk to our counterparts in Kashmir as well as Jammu to see how to take the trade forward," he said.

India and Pakistan have agreed to start trade on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakote roads from October 21. They have also agreed upon a list of 21 items that can be traded through these routes.

The trade delegation was given a warm reception by their counterparts Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by President Mubeen Shah at Salamabad, four kms from Uri town in Baramulla district of North Kashmir.