ID :
25930
Wed, 10/22/2008 - 09:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/25930
The shortlink copeid
M I Jehangir and Anil Bhatt
Salamabad/Chakan-Da-Bagh(J and K)Oct 21 (PTI) After a gap
of over six decades, India and Pakistan Tuesday restored
cross-L.o.C. trade by launching truck services on the
Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalkote roads, scripting a
new chapter in bilateral ties.
Tasleem Arif, a driver from Srinagar, drove the first
goods laden truck from the Salamabad checkpost in Jammu and
Kashmir to Chakoti on the other side of Line of Control
(L.o.C.) with the hope that one day he would not need permit
or any documents to cross the Aman sethu at Kaman post.
"This has been a 61-year-long cherished dream of many
Kashmiris to travel across the LoC without having to acquire a
passport or without being on the wrong side of the law. I am
happy that I will be the privileged man to cross the
L.o.C. Tuesday," said an excited Arif, who was driving the
lead vehicle of the 13-truck convoy to Chakoti as part of
cross L.o.C. trade.
Governor N.N. Vohra flagged off the the goods laden trucks
which marked resumption of trade ties between the divided
parts of Kashmir after 61 years.
Three trucks carrying gifts (fruits and vegitables) from
were also flagged off by H.H. Tayabji, adviser to the Governor
from Rangar international trade terminal in Chakan-de-Bagh in
Poonch amid tight security.
"Today is historic day marking yet another chapter of
friendship in Indo-Pak bilateral relations. It will strengthen
the trade relations between the two sides", Tayabji told
reporters as he hugged Pakistan officials at the
Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point of LoC.
The formal beginning of trade has also raised hopes of
revival of traditional trade ties and return of peace to the
strife torn region.
"We hope that this initiative of trade between the two
parts of Kashmir will lead to revival of the traditional trade
ties between Muzaffarabad and Kashmir valley as was the
practice during pre-1947 days," Abdul Ahad Bhat, a fruit
grower from Baramulla district told PTI.
The septugenarian has seen the pre-1947 days as well as
when goods used to be carried by labourers in baskets on their
backs. "One basket would have fruit equivalent to today's two
and half boxes," he added.
At Rawalakote, Pakistan officials led by the deputy
commissioner Mohmmad Afzal recieved the trucks carrying gifts
and were taken to Titrinote trade centre.
Local traders of Poonch (J&K) and Rawalakote (P.O.K.)
exchanged sweets, pleasantries and fond memories.
"My father's dream has come true today. He wanted to do
business in Rawalkote, where the family was running a shop in
old market area before shifting to Poonch in 1947", said
Sardar Manohar Singh, son of 84 year old Keekar singh.
In Salamabad, the trucks laden with fruits, walnuts,
honey and spices were formally sent on the historic journey by
the Governor who hoped the volume of trade would increase with
the passage of time.
The Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was opened for passenger
traffic in 2005 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and U.P.A.
chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
President of Peoples Democratic Party and Lok Sabha M.P.
from Anantnag Mehbooba Mufti, vice-president Maulana Iftikhar
Hussain Ansari and Basharat Bukhari attended the function.
The truck services would be run twice a week on the
cross LoC routes. The two countries have approved a list of 21
items that can be initially traded. The list is subject to
review every three months.
President Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(K.C.C.I.) Mubeen Shah said the initiation of trade was
beginning of dismantling of the L.o.C.
"This is the first step towards breaking down of the
L.o.C.," Shah said.
On the modalities of the trade, he said at the moment
it is kind of barter system which is being regulated jointly
by the chambers of commerce from the two sides.
Mohammad Yousuf Dar, a trader from Baramulla, said he
has sent the best of his apples -- delicious and American
varieties --to Pakistan Occupied kashmir. Dar said he was
hopeful that in the near future, trade between the two sides
of Kashmir would be just like trade with Delhi, Jammu or any
other part of India.
"There should be no checks, no customs or duty on the
trade .... it is trade between same state and hopefully leads
to better relations between India and Pakistan," he added.
Exuding confidence, the Governor said "we are hopeful
that the trade voulme will increase...also with gaining of
experience the number of items on the trading list will go
up".
of over six decades, India and Pakistan Tuesday restored
cross-L.o.C. trade by launching truck services on the
Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalkote roads, scripting a
new chapter in bilateral ties.
Tasleem Arif, a driver from Srinagar, drove the first
goods laden truck from the Salamabad checkpost in Jammu and
Kashmir to Chakoti on the other side of Line of Control
(L.o.C.) with the hope that one day he would not need permit
or any documents to cross the Aman sethu at Kaman post.
"This has been a 61-year-long cherished dream of many
Kashmiris to travel across the LoC without having to acquire a
passport or without being on the wrong side of the law. I am
happy that I will be the privileged man to cross the
L.o.C. Tuesday," said an excited Arif, who was driving the
lead vehicle of the 13-truck convoy to Chakoti as part of
cross L.o.C. trade.
Governor N.N. Vohra flagged off the the goods laden trucks
which marked resumption of trade ties between the divided
parts of Kashmir after 61 years.
Three trucks carrying gifts (fruits and vegitables) from
were also flagged off by H.H. Tayabji, adviser to the Governor
from Rangar international trade terminal in Chakan-de-Bagh in
Poonch amid tight security.
"Today is historic day marking yet another chapter of
friendship in Indo-Pak bilateral relations. It will strengthen
the trade relations between the two sides", Tayabji told
reporters as he hugged Pakistan officials at the
Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point of LoC.
The formal beginning of trade has also raised hopes of
revival of traditional trade ties and return of peace to the
strife torn region.
"We hope that this initiative of trade between the two
parts of Kashmir will lead to revival of the traditional trade
ties between Muzaffarabad and Kashmir valley as was the
practice during pre-1947 days," Abdul Ahad Bhat, a fruit
grower from Baramulla district told PTI.
The septugenarian has seen the pre-1947 days as well as
when goods used to be carried by labourers in baskets on their
backs. "One basket would have fruit equivalent to today's two
and half boxes," he added.
At Rawalakote, Pakistan officials led by the deputy
commissioner Mohmmad Afzal recieved the trucks carrying gifts
and were taken to Titrinote trade centre.
Local traders of Poonch (J&K) and Rawalakote (P.O.K.)
exchanged sweets, pleasantries and fond memories.
"My father's dream has come true today. He wanted to do
business in Rawalkote, where the family was running a shop in
old market area before shifting to Poonch in 1947", said
Sardar Manohar Singh, son of 84 year old Keekar singh.
In Salamabad, the trucks laden with fruits, walnuts,
honey and spices were formally sent on the historic journey by
the Governor who hoped the volume of trade would increase with
the passage of time.
The Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was opened for passenger
traffic in 2005 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and U.P.A.
chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
President of Peoples Democratic Party and Lok Sabha M.P.
from Anantnag Mehbooba Mufti, vice-president Maulana Iftikhar
Hussain Ansari and Basharat Bukhari attended the function.
The truck services would be run twice a week on the
cross LoC routes. The two countries have approved a list of 21
items that can be initially traded. The list is subject to
review every three months.
President Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(K.C.C.I.) Mubeen Shah said the initiation of trade was
beginning of dismantling of the L.o.C.
"This is the first step towards breaking down of the
L.o.C.," Shah said.
On the modalities of the trade, he said at the moment
it is kind of barter system which is being regulated jointly
by the chambers of commerce from the two sides.
Mohammad Yousuf Dar, a trader from Baramulla, said he
has sent the best of his apples -- delicious and American
varieties --to Pakistan Occupied kashmir. Dar said he was
hopeful that in the near future, trade between the two sides
of Kashmir would be just like trade with Delhi, Jammu or any
other part of India.
"There should be no checks, no customs or duty on the
trade .... it is trade between same state and hopefully leads
to better relations between India and Pakistan," he added.
Exuding confidence, the Governor said "we are hopeful
that the trade voulme will increase...also with gaining of
experience the number of items on the trading list will go
up".
