LoC trade hit as Pak shuts gate

One of the biggest Confidence Building Measure between India and Pakistan since 2008,cross-LoC trade,has plunged into a crisis...

One of the biggest Confidence Building Measure between India and Pakistan since 2008,cross-LoC trade,has plunged into a crisis with Pakistan on Wednesday disallowing a convoy of 52 trucks to return to India after they drove across to Chakoti terminal. Pakistan is demanding that PoK trucks held up on this side of the peace bridge connecting the two parts of Kashmir be allowed by Indian authorities to unload and return first.

They (Pakistani authorities) have closed the gate and our trucks that had crossed (the LoC) over to Chakoti on Tuesday and Wednesday have not returned as yet, Mohammad Ashraf,Custodian,cross-LoC trade,at Salamabad trade facilitation centre told The Indian Express. The Pakistani authorities are asking to unload and return their trucks that are stationed on our side first.

He said 27 trucks carrying goods from PoK on Tuesday were not unloaded because they did not have proper documents. The trucks that came (from PoK) on Wednesday was,however,unloaded, he said. This is ruining the trade. I have informed my seniors about the happenings.

Story continues below this ad

Baramulla Deputy Commissioner Bashir Ahmad said,There has been some problem between the two sides and we are trying to resolve it.

He said though the cross-LoC trade is only for two days a week,we are planning to extend it by another day on Thursday to resolve the issue.

The latest crisis began Tuesday morning when a newly posted Customs officer refused to allow traders to unload certain trucks,saying that one of the items being brought from PoK was not in the item list of the cross-LoC trade exchanged between India and Pakistan. However,officials of the Quarantine department that is responsible to ensure that the item list is followed told The Indian Express that the item (medicinal herbs) objected by the Customs officer was indeed included in the cross-LoC trade list.

Sources alleged that this latest crisis arose after the traders refused to increase the percentage of the bribe sought by the authorities at Salamabad trade facilitation centre.