India, Pakistan restore cross-LoC trade

CHAKAN-DA-BAGH (JAMMU & KASHMIR): After a gap of over six decades, India and Pakistan on Tuesday restored cross-LoC trade by launching truck services on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalkote roads, scripting a new chapter in bilateral ties.

Tasleem Arif, a driver from Srinagar, drove the first goods laden truck from the Salamabad checkpost in Jammu and Kashmir to Chakoti on the other side of Line of Control (LoC) with the hope that one day he would not need permit or any documents to cross the Aman sethu at Kaman post.

���This has been a 61-year-long cherished dream of many Kashmiris to travel across the LoC without having to acquire a passport or without being on the wrong side of the law. I am happy that I will be the privileged man to cross the LoC today,��� said an excited Arif, who was driving the lead vehicle of the 13-truck convoy to Chakoti as part of cross LoC trade.

Governor NN Vohra flagged off the goods-laden trucks which marked resumption of trade ties between the divided parts of Kashmir after 61 years.

Three trucks carrying gifts (fruits and vegetables) were also flagged off by HH Tayabji, adviser to the governor from Rangar international trade terminal in Chakan-de-Bagh in Poonch amid tight security.

���Today is historic day marking yet another chapter of friendship in Indo-Pak bilateral relations. It will strengthen the trade relations between the two sides,��� Mr Tayabji told reporters as he hugged Pakistan officials at the Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point of LoC.

The formal beginning of trade has also raised hopes of revival of traditional trade ties and return of peace to the strife-torn region.

���We hope that this initiative of trade between the two parts of Kashmir will lead to revival of the traditional trade ties between Muzaffarabad and Kashmir Valley as was the practice during pre-1947 days,��� Abdul Ahad Bhat, a fruit grower from Baramulla district said.

The septuagenarian has seen the pre-1947 days as well as when goods used to be carried by labourers in baskets on their backs. ���One basket would have fruit equivalent to today���s two and half boxes,��� he added. At Rawalakote, Pakistan officials led by the deputy commissioner Mohmmad Afzal received the trucks carrying gifts and were taken to Titrinote trade centre.

Local traders of Poonch (Jammu & Kashmir) and Rawalakote (POK) exchanged sweets, pleasantries and fond memories.
���My father���s dream has come true today. He wanted to do business in Rawalkote, where the family was running a shop in old market area before shifting to Poonch in 1947,��� said Sardar Manohar Singh, son of 84-year-old Keekar Singh.

In Salamabad, the trucks laden with fruits, walnuts, honey and spices were formally sent on the historic journey by the governor who hoped the volume of trade would increase with the passage of time.

The Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was opened for passenger traffic in 2005 by prime minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

President of Peoples Democratic Party and Lok Sabha MP from Anantnag, Mehbooba Mufti, vice-president Maulana Iftikhar Hussain Ansari and Basharat Bukhari attended the function.

The truck services would be run twice a week on the cross LoC routes. The two countries have approved a list of 21 items that can be initially traded. The list is subject to review every three months.

President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Mubeen Shah said the initiation of trade was beginning of dismantling of the LoC. This is the first step towards breaking down of the LoC, Mr Shah said.

On the modalities of the trade, he said at the moment it is kind of barter system which is being regulated jointly by the chambers of commerce from the two sides.

Mohammad Yousuf Dar, a trader from Baramulla, said he has sent the best of his apples ��� delicious and American varieties ��� to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Mr Dar said he was hopeful that in the near future, trade between the two sides of Kashmir would be just like trade with Delhi, Jammu or any other part of India.

���There should be no checks, no customs or duty on the trade .... It is trade between same state and hopefully leads to better relations between India and Pakistan,��� he added.

Exuding confidence the governor said: ���We are hopeful that the trade volume will increase...Also with gaining of experience the number of items on the trading list will go up.���