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| Cross LoC trade resumes partially after weeks long 'strains' | | | Syed Tahir Bukhari
Baramulla, Feb 26: As rigidity from authorities in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) over cross Line of control (LoC) trade diluted resulting in resumption of cross LoC trade partially here on Wednesday after being remained suspended for over five weeks.
As per reports while the tradable goods from Muzaffarabad reached here the trucks carrying goods to the other side came back due to rigidity shown by authorities of PoK.
Early Times has learnt that the PoK authorities asked the drivers on this side not to unload the trucks unless and until checked by them at Chakoti.
This was not accepted by the drivers who said that they cannot do it since the trucks have already been checked at the designated point. The drivers said that they would suffer losses and as such drove the trucks back to Salamabad.
"Today morning 22 loaded trucks carrying goods including perishable items Banana, Pine Apple and Chilli seeds left Salamabad for Chakoti. However, the trucks returned back from other side of Line of Control (LoC) as they had been asked to get the trucks re-checked after being checked at the zero point. As the truck drivers drove back none of the trucks was unloaded at Chakoti," said Hilal Ahmad Turki, General Secretary, Salamabad-Chakoti Trade Union.
Hilal said the reluctance from PoK authorities was against the agreement reached out between the two sides in which it was decided that there will be complete checking before any truck is allowed to enter on either side of LoC, but protection of trade and traders should be given priority.
"Authorities on the other side were compelling the truck drivers to get the goods rechecked. If some of the goods would have been returned who would have bear the losses. As such the drivers decided to come back without unloading the trucks on the other side of LoC," he said.
Hilal added that four trucks containing apples, almonds Meshwakh and embroidery items from other side of LoC reached here at Salamabad and they were unloaded after formal check-up. Hilal and others said time has come when Governments of India and Pakistan should sit across the table and solve the problem at the earliest adding that otherwise traders have would continue to suffer losses.
Pertinent to mention here that on January 17 security agencies seized 114 brown sugar packets worth 100 crores from a truck at Salamabad-Uri, which was on its way to India. The driver of the truck Mohammad Shafeeq Awan resident of Muzaffarabad was arrested following which the cross LoC trade witnessed hiccups till date.
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