Wagah opens to Pak trade

Wagah was abuzz with activity as coolies lugged sackfuls of garlic to their Pakistani counterparts across the Radcliffe Line. ‘‘A total of 500 tonnes of onions and tomatoes each would be sent to Pakistan in the coming week alone,’’ said Harish Taneja, an exporter who feels this route holds tremendous promise for the Punjabi farmer. ‘‘He will no longer have to dump his potatoes in the streets in case of a bumper crop,’’ he said. Besides vegetables, Indian traders are also exporting buffaloes and goats to Pakistan.

Welcoming the new trade link, Gunbir Singh, district head of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), hoped it would facilitate trade with other countries, including the Central Asian republics.

Calling it a revolutionary step, Rajdeep Uppal of Narayan Exports-Imports Corporation said, “Our products will be able to reach Pakistan in a few hours and with a minimal transportation cost.’’

It’s a win-win situation for both the countries. For instance, onions, tomatoes and green chillies, are priced at around Rs 60, Rs 65 and Rs 200 per kg, respectively, in Pakistan. But dry fruits there are cheaper than in India.