By IANS,
Srinagar : A 19-member trade delegation from Pakistan-administered Kashmir arrived here Thursday to discuss modalities for cross-border commerce expected to start Oct 21 between two parts of divided Kashmir.
The trade delegation, led by Zulfiqar Ahmad, president of Pakistan-administered Kashmir’s chamber of commerce and industry, will be in Jammu and Kashmir for 10 days.
The delegation will spend a week in the valley before leaving for Jammu.
“The traders from Muzaffarabad (capital of Pakistani Kashmir) will meet the local traders in both the summer capital Srinagar and winter capital Jammu to finalise the trade itinerary between the two parts of divided Kashmir,” said Altaf Ahmad Nizami, media advisor of the visiting delegation.
India and Pakistan have agreed to begin the cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade in Jammu and Kashmir from Oct 21 when trucks will start moving on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route. A week later, on Oct 28 lorries will begin rolling between Poonch in Jammu and Rawlakote in Pakistani Kashmir.
The move was announced in the New York meeting between Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last month.
An 11-member team of the Jammu and Kashmir traders led by Mobeen Shah, president of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, received the delegation from Muzaffarabad at Salamabad tourist reception centre in north Kashmir Baramulla district.