Abbasi calls for removing all impediments in trans-LoC trade

Urges Pak PM, president to take cognizance of ‘conspiracies being hatched to sabotage cross-LoC trade’

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Jan 7: President, Jammu and Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Zulfiqar Abbasi urged the prime minister and the president of Pakistan to take cognizance of “conspiracies being hatched to sabotage the cross LOC trade.”

 “Despite proper trade agreement between India and Pakistan, some elements have been working against the spirit of this agreement, which is in fact contrary to the policies of the incumbent regime,” Abbasi said in a chat with Greater Kashmir on Saturday.

 While expressing concern over the grievances of the traders’ community, he said the custom officials should stop seizing of the trucks.

 “There should be an immediate end to the practice of seizing goods laden trucks, which inflict huge losses to Kashmiri business community involved in the trans-Loc trade,” he said, adding that it was astonishing to note that on one hand “they talk of enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries and on the other hurdles are being created to thwart this pioneering CBM.”

 “Kashmiris after a gap of more than 60 years, availed this opportunity (trade goods across LoC) and I believe that the historic initiative taken by the two governments can play important role in strengthening local economy besides revitalizing the socio-economic potential of the region,” he said. 

 He said that after resumption of Truck Service, the two countries formally agreed that 21 items would be traded across the line of control. “As per the agreement,” he said “no country can unilaterally make any alteration in the list of trading items.”

 Referring to the agreement, he said, “Only Joint working committee of the two countries has been authorised to do so”, he said.

 JKJCCI chief said the trans-loc trade was the inalienable right of the Kashmiri business community and no one can deprive them of their right. 

 Abassi demanded the government of Pakistan to remove all impediments and barriers to ensure smooth and free flow of trade.