Pakistan and India resumed trade on Line of Control, Pakistani traders’ suspended trade to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir and against the civilian killings in the valley after July 9
By. Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD/MUZAFFARABAD – Pakistan and India on other day resumed trade on Line of Control between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar despite heightened tensions. One truck from AJK and 12 from Indian-held Kashmir loaded with goods crossed the Line of Control from Chakothi-Uri to each side. Only one truck from Pakistan side arrived while about a dozen from IOK Kashmir crossed to other side of the Line of Control (LoC) as cross-border trade resumed today after remaining suspended since August 4.The Pakistani traders suspended trade to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir and against the civilian killings in the valley after July 9, a day after martyr commander Burhan Wani and two other innocent Kashmiris were killed in Anantnag by Indian forces. However, barring two weeks, the cross LoC Karvan-e-Aman bus service operated between the two divided parts regularly. A truck from Pakistan arrived at Salamabad Trade Facilitation Centre (STFC) today after crossing the Aman Setu peace bridge at Kaman post, the last Indian military post on this side of the LoC in Uri sector, where 18 so called soldiers were killed and as many were injured claimed by Indian media , resulting in heightened tension between India and Pakistan. About a dozen trucks, carrying among other approved items, loaded with fruit crossed over to other side of the Azad Kashmir. The four-time a week cross-LoC truck service between the capitals of divided Kashmir was suspended on July 12 after a curfew was imposed to quell huge protests erupted in aftermath of martyrdom of commander Burhan Wani.Director General Cross-LoC Trade and Travel Authority Brigadier (r) Imtaiz Wayan told traders were not ready to trade during tense situation and trade service was not stalled officially. When asked if the situation in valley was better now for trade, Director General Cross-LoC Trade and Travel Authority Brigadier (r) Imtaiz Wayan said traders of both sides have agreed to resume. However he was of the view that the purpose of cross LoC bus and truck service was the reunion of divided Kashmiris and these services should continue.The cross-LoC truck service was launched between Muzaffarabad –Srinagar and Rawalakot-Poonch in 2008 as a confidence building measure to strengthen relations between India and Pakistan and facilitate the reunion of Kashmir’s divided families. The cross-LoC trade resumed today in Kashmir after over two months. A total of 12 trucks laden with listed goods today cross Peace Bride at Kaman Post in Uri, which connects the two divided parts of Kashmir along the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway. The trade was suspended on July 12 due the unrest in Kashmir following the killing of Kashmiri commander Burhan Wani. The Custodian, Trade Facilitation Centre, Salamabad-Uri, Farooq Shah talked to media said 12 trucks carrying goods from this side of Kashmir crossed the LoC into Pakistan Azad Kashmir while only one truck came from there.“The trade went on smoothly for the first time in over two months,” Farooq Shah said over the phone fron Uri.The reason for only one truck coming from Azad Kashmir was that the traders in Kashmir will not be able to market the goods due to the ongoing unrest.The authorities from India and Pakistan agreed to resume the trade. A meeting of officials from both sides was, however, held this morning at Zero Point on Kaman Post after which the trucks crossed over.
