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| Make a beginning, sky is limit: Abbasi | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Oct 14: There is a sea of trade and commerce opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir on both sides of Line of Control but to realize full potential the procedures need to be simplified and wall of mistrust brought down, said Zulfikar Abbasi, the leader of 19-member delegation of traders from Pakistan administered Kashmir.
Interacting with the media persons at a Press Meet organized by the Press Club of Jammu, Abbasi reiterated that the initiation of trade on Line of Control on Oct 21 is first step towards a millions miles journey to be undertaken jointly by the businessmen of both parts of Jammu and Kashmir. He added, “I am sure, we have the will and sincerity to move forward via trade paving way for enhanced contacts and understanding between people on both sides”.
The PaK business captain observed that the Cross-LoC trade was a part of larger process of understanding and cooperation between New Delhi and Islamabad and the current initiative was in backdrop of a decision reached at highest level –between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Asif Ali Zardari. “It is a part of peace process and we appreciate and endorse this but gradually the trade will have to be considered in its own essence to make the process practical”, Abbasi pointed out and added that business community was ready to face initial losses for pushing the peace process.
To a question on bottlenecks in smooth Cross-LoC trade, Abbasi said, “there are many”. The biggest among them, he said, is the lack of communication facilities between both parts of Jammu and Kashmir. “In absence of telecommunication, postal and courier services you can imagine a practical trade”, said the delegation leader.
He also understood that traders should not be taken casualty to a cumbersome travel clearance procedure and the fortnightly schedule of bus service. There should be some permanent permit or pass system for traders so that every time they don’t have to seek permission. Interestingly, despite listing all obstacles, Abbasi sounded very optimistic. “Yes these are problems but we don’t need to cry over them. This is just a beginning and we understand that governments of India and Pakistan will show the required level of expediency to put in place all infrastructural requirements”, he observed.
Abbasi informed the media persons that a broad consensus has been reached between traders of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Kashmir Valley and Jammu to form a joint business chamber which will pursue all important matters with local government and other concerned quarters. When asked about the gulf between traders of Kashmir and Jammu, Abbasi said, there are temporary irritants and shall be over by the time.
When asked about the potential of products in Jammu and their market in Pakistan administered Kashmir, Abbasi said, “it is tremendous on both sides. There are many things which we produce in plenty and are in large demand here and vice versa”.
The leaders of trade delegation exchanged mementoes with President of the Press Club of Jammu Manu Srivatsa and Secretary General Suhail Kazmi.
Members of trade delegation, local businessmen and a large number of media persons attended the function. President of the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ram Sahai and President of Federation of Industries Annil Suri were also present on the occasion. |
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