'Time to convert Cross-LoC CBM into a real trade'

There is a growing demand to convert Indo-Pak's biggest ever confidence building measure – the cross-Line of Control trade between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir – into actual trade on ground. Peerzada Ashiq reports.

There is a growing demand to convert Indo-Pak's biggest ever confidence building measure (CBM) – the cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) – into actual trade on ground.

HT Image

In the first ever three-day conference of traders from both sides of the LoC being held in Srinagar, the trading community has expressed disappointment over the progress of trade since it was started in 2008.

"It's a blind trade system. We are not allowed to go to the other side. We are not given multi-visit permissions. There is no communication facility and no banking facility. Even a normal phone call from other Kashmir can have a trader black listed by security agencies here," said Mubeen Shah, chief of the Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) – an apex body of 22 members from both sides of the LoC.

From 600 traders registered in 2008, the number of valley-based traders has sharply come down to 70.

"There is security forces harassment. The trade continues on the whims of bureaucrats of Pakistan and India. We want the CBM to be translated into actual trade," said Shah.

Shah's demand for widening trade and improved facilities was backed by 13 visiting traders from PoK.

"The list of trading items has come down from 21 to 15… The traders are the real stakeholders. They should be allowed to take decisions and the higher authorities should implement them," said Zulfikar Abbasi, a trade from Mirpur.

The traders' statements demanding consultation with stakeholders have come at a time when the high-level meeting of Joint Working Group of India and Pakistan is scheduled for July 19 to discuss the LoC trade.

"There should be no end to the tradable items…We see the cross-LoC trade as a harbinger of a final solution to the Kashmir problem. This trade can make each zone as free economic zone," said Shah.

Former Indian foreign secretary Salman Haider, who also spoke in the conference, said, "It was an important occasion wherein traders from both sides can chalk out a strategy on how to promote trade further. There are difficulties that need to be addressed."

Kashmir's industries minister Surjeet Singh Salathia said the state government is only a recommendatory body in the cross-LoC trade affair. "We have recommended strongly to the Government of India about providing banking and communication facilities," claimed Salathia.

The state government has also recommended an increase in the list of items from 22 to 27.

To allay fears of possibility of any Hawala transaction, the traders said it was not possible since no money was involved in the trade.

"There was no question of sending money in the name of trade for subversive activities in Kashmir. Traders are just exchanging goods for goods. How can there be an illegal money transaction?" said Abassi.

The cross-LoC traders meeting has been organised by the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation.

At present, the cross-LoC trade takes places at two places in the state – Muzaffarabad-Uri and Poonch-Rawlakote.