Even as officials at the integrated check post (ICP) at the Wagah claimed that the import-export business through the ICP was normal, the Confederation of International Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CICCI) strongly condemned the "brazen attempts" by truckers to hold the Indo-Pakistan trade to ransom.
At its meeting held here on Monday, the CICCI claimed that the truckers did not allow local traders to lift material imported from Pakistan for the third successive day, sending wrong signals to the business community on both sides of the border.
The truckers have been demanding higher rates for lifting certain commodities and are opposed to traders hiring their own trucks for lifting of goods at the ICP.
The chamber urged the government, police and the administration to implement the agreement put on board during a high-level meeting held in April 2013 wherein all stakeholders, including truckers, decided to conduct the entire trade through the ICP smoothly.
The chamber appealed for a permanent solution to the problem and to reign in truckers for the betterment of bilaterla trade. The CICCI appealed to the state government to break the "confrontational attitude" of the truckers.
Meanwhile, the CICCI decided to boycott any meeting with the truckers union from now onwards but said it would abide by the directions from the state government and the district administration to avoid any unsavoury situation at the ICP.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the CICCI decided to boycott any meeting with the truckers union from now onwards but said it would abide by the directions from the state government and the district administration to avoid any unsavoury situation at the ICP.
{{/usCountry}}Official speak
ICP manager Rameshwar said, "Bilateral trade through the ICP is normal, with trucks plying on both sides of the border. Lifting of imported items too is normal." He said that a meeting between the traders, truckers and officials of various departments handling the Indo-Pak trade would be held at the ICP on Tuesday to find a permanent solution to the problems at the ICP for hassle-free trade.