Over 10,000 people visited PoK since 2005

SRINAGAR: Over 10,000 people from Jammu and Kashmir have visited Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) since 2005, when the cross-Line of Control bus service was started, the Legislative Council was informed today.

"Since the year 2005 up to June 9 in 2016, 10,117 persons (Indians) have visited PoK through cross-LoC routes and crossing points," Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a written reply to a question of National Conference legislator Bashir Ahmad Veeri.

Mehbooba said similarly about double the number of people from PoK have visited the state during the corresponding time period.

"20, 983 persons from PoK have visited Jammu and Kashmir during this period," she said.

The chief minister said the Government attaches a high priority to the strengthening of cross-LoC trade and travel which is an important Confidence Building Measure (CBM) and for strengthening cross-LoC trade, various measures have been taken in consultation with Union Ministry of Home Affairs.