By IRNA,
Srinagar, India : A trade delegation from Pakistani controlled Kashmir crossed the Line of Control (LoC) into Indian administered side of the divided state on a landmark visit to a warm reception.
Zulfikar Abbasi, President Azad Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, who is leading the 19-member delegation described it a historic day.
The trader’s delegation arrived here to finalize the modalities for cross-LoC trade with their counterparts in Indian side of Kashmir.
“We have come with a message of love and peace.”
Immediately after getting clearance from the Indian officials, Abbasi told newspersons that it was historic day in 60-year relationship between the two parts of the Kashmir which were divided in 1947 between two arch foes India and Pakistan.
The delegation was received at Kaman Post Thursday at 1 P.M. by top government officials Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Pawan Kotwal, Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla Baseer Ahmad Khan.
The President Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mubeen Shah, President Federation of Chamber and Industries, Shakeel Qalander, President Fruit Grower Association Chowdhary Mohammad Rafiq, representatives and members of various trade federations were present to welcome the delegation.
Interacting with traders, federation representatives at Salamabad crossing visibly moved Abbasi said, “Our broken hearts will get united again”.
The visiting delegation expressed satisfaction on starting trade on October 21 across LoC through the Jehlum Valley and Poonch Rawalakot roads.
They hoped that the opening of trade routes would open new vistas of economic activities on both sides of LoC.
They said that it would also cement the bonds of love and affinity between the people on both sides.
They hoped that India and Pakistan would take initiatives for strengthening Confidence Building Measures (CBM) and described opening of trade routes one of the biggest CBM’s.
In reply to a question he said it would not be a symbolic trade but a full trade between the people living on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC).
The two sides are scheduled to discuss terms of trade and mode of payment and currency to be used for the trade as governments from both sides have left it to the business chambers from two sides.
A Trade Facilitation Centre has been set up at Salamabad on Indian side and Chakothi on Pakistani side of the divide instead of the customs office to monitor goods.
The officer in charge at Centre would be designated as Trade Facilitator instead of customs officer as trade ties between the two parts would not come under the realm of bilateral trade but between two parts of the same state.