Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 24: For the first time after 1947, a 44-member traders’ delegation from Jammu and Kashmir has got clearance from the Nawaz Sharief Government in Pakistan to visit Muzaffrabad, Mirpur and Rawalakote in Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK) to hold interactions with their counterparts involved in the cross LoC trade, settle mutual disputes and explore the possibilities to further improve the trade and exert pressure on the Governments of India and Pakistan to infuse some new life in the dying trade as one of the CBMs between the two countries.
Highly placed sources told Excelsior that 44- traders have been cleared by the Government of Pakistan for their proposed four- day visit to Pak occupied Kashmir next month. They will cross over to PoK via Uri (Kashmir) to PoK and reach Muzaffrabad on August 26, 2013. Members of the joint Chamber of J&K and PoK besides other representatives from the trade bodies including Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Jammu Chamber of Trade and Industries, Muzaffrabad Chamber and some stake holders from Poonch and Jammu will also be visiting.
While delegations of traders from PoK have visited this side at least for three times but Indian (J&K) delegation has been given permission for the first time by the Pakistani Government after independence.
Sources further said that the representatives on both the sides will be pressing for enhancement of facilities as already projected like banking, communication, residential, canteen, additional storage capacity, holding of periodical meetings of the traders on both the sides besides other facilities at the cross LoC points at Chakan- Da- Bagh and Uri (Chakoti) trade facilitation centres to boost the trade. The demand of creation of the post of DG Trade and extend the trade for six days besides review of the list of 21 tradable items also exists in the agenda during the joint delegation meet in PoK.
A four member delegation from Poonch Chakan-da-Bagh Trade Union led by its president including Pawan Anand, Dr Mubeen Shah from Kashmir Chamber and Y V Sharma president Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Annil Suri president Bari Brahman Industries Association Jammu, Shakeel Kalander, former Kashmir Chamber president, trade bodies representatives like Hilal Turkey, Mohd Tariq, Mohd Yasin Khan and others will be accompanying the Indian delegation.
Dr Mubeen Shah from Srinagar, who is presently the president of Joint Chamber of J&K, PoK Traders Association told the Excelsior that it has happened for the first time that traders delegation has been accorded permission by the Pakistani Government. He said that Nawaz Sharief Government seems to be serious in enhancing CBMs and improving trade ties between the two sides. “We have lot of expectations from Sharief Government and hope that both he and Dr Manmohan Singh will also show keen interest in clearing all the bottlenecks/ difficulties in trade and provide single widow system to facilitate this dying trade,” he maintained.
Dr Shah pointed out that traders delegation visited this side on at least three occasions and Indian Government accorded them permission. The PoK Chamber invited J&K traders and other representatives of trade bodies here on number of occasions but the clearance from Pak side was accorded for the first time. “I have also received invitation and the other traders who have got similar invitation are in touch. We have been conveyed to forward the required papers by the Indian authorities and the process was going on. He said as per the schedule, the delegation will cross over to PoK via Uri and will visit Muzaffrabad, Kotli and Rawalakote in PoK. There will be interactions on both the sides. Issues of mutual interest, trade related difficulties, non-clearance of pending claims of traders / disputes etc will be sorted out. It will be a great opportunity for the traders/ stake holders to interact and explore the possibilities to enhance the trade.
Replying to a question, Dr Shah said there are total 44 members in the Joint Chamber, 22 each from J&K and PoK side. He said one year presidency goes to Indian side and next year to PoK side. He said that his term is almost over and next president will be announced from PoK side. He pointed out that out of the total 35,000 crore annual export/import business in the State, hardly 1% is being conducted via Uri and Poonch LoC points. Hardly, Rs 300 cr business is being conducted which is no trade in real sense.
Pawan Anand, president Poonch-Chakan-da-Bagh Cross LoC Traders Association said that cross LoC trade has reached its lowest ebb and it is likely to be suspended. The traders have lost interest as it is not a profitable and more risk prone. Crores of rupees of the traders on this side have been blocked and many disputes have arisen. From the 21 tradable items hardly 2-3 are being allowed now. No banking/ telecommunication and single widow system facilities as promised by Government time to time were allowed. There is no coordination between the agencies deployed at LoC point and traders feel harassed and victimised. Under such conditions no trader is now willing to continue as periodical reviews or joint meetings are not held for months together.
Replying to question, Mr Anand said initially when trade was allowed, 575 traders from Kashmir side via Uri- Chakoti were involved in the cross LoC trade and their number has now reduced to 40. Similarly, 265 traders were involved in the cross LoC trade via Chakan-da-Bagh (Poonch). However, their number has reduced to hardly 14 or 15. 25 trucks of goods from Indian side and 25 from PoK side are allowed but on several occasions it has been found that now even single vehicle is not going to that side. The trade here is felt to be discouraged by some elements who are believed to be against this activity. The core issues are needed to be resolved and single widow system is needed to be established at Poonch so that traders could be encouraged. He demanded that profitable items be included in the list and there was immediate need to review the list of tradable items.
Y V Sharma, president CCI Jammu said he has also received an invitation and it was great opportunity for the traders from this side to visit PoK for the first time and put collective efforts to exert pressure on Indian and Pakistani Governments to remove all the hurdles and difficulties being faced by the traders on both sides involved in the cross LoC trade. If both the Governments consider it as one of the Confidence Building Measures, then they should try to strengthen it further and encourage the traders but unfortunately the businessmen are being discouraged a lot with the result that they have lost interest in this trade which has reduced to `mere customary’. It is not profitable and full of risk. Money worth crores of the traders has been blocked and disputes are lying pending. Some sensitive and ticklish issues related to the trade via Poonch are needed to be sorted out and agencies involved should be asked to be trade friendly and accord cooperation instead of aggravating their difficulties.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel