Political parties, traders in IIOJK call for restoration of cross-LoC trade
Jammu: Political parties and trader bodies in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have urged the BJP-led Indian government to restore the cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade routes as a confidence-building measure aimed at reviving people-to-people contact and economic activity in areas close to the dividing line.
According to Kashmir Media Service, cross-LoC trade was launched in 2008 through two trade routes: the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad via the facilitation center at Uri in Baramulla, and the Poonch-Rawalakot route through the Chakkan-da-Bagh facilitation center in Poonch. The trade operated four days a week under a barter system, with goods exchanged without monetary transactions. The value of goods traded in and out was balanced every three months. However, the Modi-led Indian government suspended cross-LoC trade in April 2019.
Calling for the revival of the routes, National Conference leader and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary during a recent visit to Uri, said the cross-LoC links had significantly benefitted divided families and promoted economic activity in border areas. He stressed the need to restore the routes in the interest of both humanitarian and economic engagement.
NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar also welcomed any move towards reopening the routes, reiterating his party’s longstanding support for people-to-people contact across the LoC.
Meanwhile, President of Poonch-Rawlakote Traders Union, Abdul Razaq, urged the government to reconsider the decision to shut the trade routes, saying their restoration would provide much-needed relief to traders and residents. He said that if there are any security concerns, it is the responsibility of the relevant authorities to address them, but the trade must be restored.
