Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 15: Strongly advocating early opening of Jammu-Sialkote route on the International Border, President of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) Chamber of Commerce, Mian Khalid Rafiq today said that opening of this point will not only give considerable fillip to the trade activities but also enhance people to people contact, which is the only solution to resolve the dispute between India and Pakistan.
In an exclusive interview to EXCELSIOR on the sidelines of cross-LoC civil society dialogue, the PoK Chamber of Commerce chief said, “though trade between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir is a welcome step and important Confidence Building Measure (CBM) between India and Pakistan but we are not satisfied with the quantum of trade”, adding “the trading activities between two parts of divided Jammu and Kashmir could not pick up considerably till date because of many hassles including lack of banking facilities”.
“The remoteness of the trading points from either side is also a stumbling block in the way of giving required fillip to the trade activities. We have to cover long distance to reach the trading points. Similarly, our counterparts in Jammu and Kashmir are also finding it difficult to take goods to the cross-LoC trading points because of huge distance from the capital cities”, he said.
Stressing the need to open Jammu-Sialkote route on the International Border on the pattern of Wagah border in Punjab, the president of PoK Chamber of Commerce said, “this route is most suitable for trade and travel. We can reach Jammu via this route within a period of three hours. Moreover, Jammu is the hub of industries and various trades and opening of this route would be of immense help for the trading community of both sides”.
“Opening of this route would not only ensure hassle free trade but also enhance people to people contact and further cement the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) between India and Pakistan”, Mr Rafiq said, adding “after fighting several wars with each other both India and Pakistan have realized that dispute between them can be resolved only through mutual cooperation and trust, which can be achieved only through enhanced people to people contact”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah recently stated that he would recommend opening of Jammu-Sialkote route for travel and trade to the Central Government so that it takes up this issue with Pakistan to initiate yet another important Confidence Building Measure.
Even the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Federation of Industries, Jammu have also advocated the opening of this route on International Border on the ground that it would prove highly beneficial for the people of either side to travel and undertake various economic activities.
In response to a question, he said, “not only Jammu-Sialkote route we are also in the favour of opening of other trading points”.
About the hassles in the existing cross-LoC trading activities, the PoK Chamber of Commerce president said, “both the countries should immediately arrive at a consensus on banking facilities for LoC trade and enhance the list of tradable items”, adding “without banking facilities the trade activities cannot flourish and reach at the desired level”.
Mr Rafiq further said that PoK Chamber of Commerce would plan to organize meet of traders from Jammu and Kashmir in PoK.
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