Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 15: About 143 traders from Pak occupied Kashmir and this part of the Jammu and Kashmir who met at the Chakkan-Da-Bagh cross LoC point in Poonch exerted pressure on the Governments of Pakistan and India to introduce multi-entry trade system for the traders on both sides and also install full truck body scanners at the trade facilitation centers at this LoC so as to save the time and avoid long exercise of scanning of tradable goods at the entry and exit points.
After postponing of previous meeting due to tension along the borders in view of constant firing, the traders on both the sides met at the Cross LoC point today to resolve their pending disputes and also discussed their issues with the Government representatives on both the asides. A total 80 traders from PoK while 63 from J&K side participated in today’s meeting.
While from Pakistan side, Director General Trade and Travel Brig (Rtd) Imriaz Wani, Additional Deputy Commissioner Poonch (PoK), Jameel Safdar and Assistant Commissioner Hajira (PoK), Sardar Shahbaz attended this meet; from Indian side Deputy Commissioner, Poonch (J&K) Nissar Ahmed Wani, SSP Poonch J S Johar, and Custodian/ Trade Facilitation Officer Poonch (CDB) Tanveer Ahmed represented Indian side. The purpose was also to review the pace and progress of Cross-LoC trade activities and to facilitate trade between traders from each side of divided Jammu and Kashmir by providing them a platform for mutual resolution of their trade related disputes.
During the deliberations the delegations from both sides agreed to encourage the Cross-LoC trade by removing unnecessary hurdles. Deputy Commissioner Poonch highlighted the dividends of cross-LoC trade with the emphasis that its dividends may go beyond commercial gains and as a part of confidence building measures (CBMs) between both sides and it must be promoted.
While underlining the need for diversifying trade, Wani emphasized for encouraging and promoting serious traders and discouraging defaulters in barter trade. DG Trade PoK stressed for taking steps for further growth of trade and urged for regular meetings between the officials and traders to ensure its smooth conduct.
The traders from both sides impressed upon both the Governments to ensure presence of all defaulters in trade meets and also asked for increasing the number of tradable items and the number of trucks allowed in a day. They also demanded early installation of full truck body scanners which will increase the quantum of trade. Traders from both sides pressed for multi-entry permit for traders to visit PoK for business purposes.
Other trade related issues like increase in list of tradable items from existing 21 to replacement of barter system with banking system and regular meeting of traders of both sides at LoC to settle their accounts were discussed.
The officials on both sides also decided to strictly follow the time of gates opening and agreed to adhere to national and religious holidays of both the countries. Besides, the issue of currency exchange, limit on goods carried by passengers, list of registered traders on both sides, proper labeling of scientific names on items like herbs/medicinal plants and establishing of hotline between Custodians/TFOs of both sides were deliberated upon in details.
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