Trade across the LoC whether at Salamabad in Uri or Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch has had many hiccups in the past. Many a time, movement of trucks was suspended for one reason or the other. But every time, after short intervals, both sides resumed negotiations and re-started the stalled trading activities. Obviously, restoration of trust and building confidence between the two sides is still at large. Much needs to be done to bring trade relations to a normal level. Anyway, the recent meeting between the two sides at Chakan-da-Bagh, where officials of both sides and about a hundred traders had assembled, some good discussions were held and a measure of understanding was built. It will be remembered that only recently the Home Secretary had paid a visit to the Chakan-da-Bagh cross-LoC trading point and it was decided that a full body truck scanner would be put to use to reduce the time and labour for scrutinizing the trucks laden with merchandise coming from PoK side. Other measures, like shifting from barter to banking system of trade are on the anvil. Permit system is to be made easier and less complicated. More items might be added to the existing list of 21 items that are bartered. In this way, in months to come, there would be some improvement in bilateral trade between the two parts.
The essential purpose in opening the two trading points along the LoC was to boost the confidence building measures between the two sides. It was also hoped that movement of people across these points would reunite separated families and relatives. At the same time, it has also something of psychological impact that the two parts will not be separated from each other for all times to come but can build an atmosphere of cordiality in which it would become very easy to exchange visits. We are hopeful that if the traders on PoK side will refuse to be cowed down by the Pakistan-based jihadi groups to serve their purpose, they will contribute immensely to the confidence building process. That would be a good day for people on both sides of the LoC.
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