Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, May 20: Traders from Pak occupied Kashmir and this part of Jammu and Kashmir today met after the lapse of 14 months to settle their pending trade disputes in presence of Pakistani DG Trade and Travel and Deputy Commissioner Poonch at Chakkan-da-Bagh cross-LoC point on Poonch-Rawlakote road today.
The much awaited cross LoC traders’ meet, for resolving pending payment related disputes of the traders on both sides of the Line of Control and review the pace of progress of trade activities between two parts of Kashmir, started at the LoC point at 11.30 am today.
Besides Pak DG Trade and Travel Mr Waien, Deputy Commissioner Rawlakote (PoK) Fareed Choudhary, Dy Commissioner Poonch (J&K) Sajjad Ahmed Khan, SP Poonch Shamsheer Hussain, TFO Poonch Bashir Ahmed Lone, President Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Y V Sharma, Chairman Federation of Industries Bari Brahamana Jammu Annil Suri and President Cross LoC Traders Association Poonch, Pawan Anand also attended the meeting. A total 115 traders from both the sides participated in the meeting while lasted till 2.30 pm.
The meeting, which is supposed to be held after three months (every quarter of the financial year) as agreed by both the Governments of Pakistan and India, could not be held during past 14 months due to some bitterness in the relations between both the countries after the incidents of beheading of two Indian soldiers in January 2013 in Mendhar area of Poonch, killings of our five jawans at the LoC near Khari Karmara in Poonch area in August last year and detention of PoK driver after recovery of narcotics in Uri in the recent past.
The traders on both the sides were mounting pressure on their respective Governments to initiate process for holding early dialogue as their huge payments were pending and trade related disputes had widened. They were also threatening to suspend trade if their disputes were not settled with their counterparts as they were running huge financial losses. Both the Governments took up the issue at the highest level and the meeting for fixed.
Trade Facilitation Officer (TFO), Bashir Ahmed Lone (Custodian Poonch) disclosed that a total 115 traders from both the sides participated in the meeting which was held under peaceful and cordial atmosphere. Eleven trade disputes were settled with the assistance of officials on both the sides.
The trade representatives from both the sides emphasized that list of items (21) appearing in the SOP may be increased. At present hardly 3-4 items are being traded on both the sides. It was also stressed the number of trucks from each side be increased from 25 to 40, banking facilities be provided to the traders and meetings be held after every quarter so that trade related disputes are settled at the earliest.
Y V Sharma, Annil Suri and Pawan Anand besides traders from Rawlakote and Muzaffarabad also put forward some suggestions.
DC Rawlakote Fareed Choudhary said that trade is a good CBM for the people on both the sides and such meetings bring people more closer to each other and create friendly relations. He said a proposal from PoK residents has come to raise an amount of Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000 per family for the visitors from PoK who come to J&K on 28- days travel permit. The Indian officials assured to take up issue at higher level.
DC Poonch Sajjad Ahmed Khan disclosed that at present 165 traders are involved in Cross LoC trade from here via Chakkan-da- Bagh while 171 from PoK side. Nearly 73 labourers of border area are getting employment at Trade Centre Poonch. 25 trucks on each side are allowed for trade which is taking four days a week from Tuesday to Friday. Banana, Imli, Jeera, Red chilly, herbs, lemons are generally exported and dry date, apple, herbs almonds besides embroidery items are imported from the other side. A business of nearly Rs 5 crore takes place every week via this cross LoC point.
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