No Karvan-e-Aman bus to POK for 8th week, cross-LoC trade also remain suspended

SRINAGAR: The Karvan-e-Aman bus, operating between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) remained suspended for the 8th consecutive week on Monday, official sources said.
Meanwhile, cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade between J&K to POK also remained suspended since April 18 when Union Home Ministry issued an order banning trade activities till further orders.
“No bus will operate today also”, official sources said.

They said earlier it was informed that Amen Setu, peace bridge at Kaman post, the last Indian military post on this side of the LoC in Uri sector was under repair from POK side. However, now when trade has been suspended, it will not be possible to resume the cross-LoC bus service in near future, they added.
The bus was introduced on April 7, 2005 as one of the major Confidence Building Measure (CBM) after India and Pakistan agreed to allow travel of residents of both sides of the LoC, separated in 1947 due to partition, to undertake journey on Travel Permits instead of International passports.

However, people from both sides are allowed to travel only after their names were cleared by intelligence agencies from both the countries. The bus has helped thousands of families divided in 1947 due to partition to meet each other.
(agencies)