After remaining suspended for two weeks, the trade across the Line of Control (LoC) resumed on Tuesday with 24 truckloads crossing to other side from Chakan Da Bagh in Poonch and 40 from Uri side.
The trade had been suspended by LoC Traders Association on December 22 demanding that restrictions on certain items be removed. The trade on Chakan Da Bagh side had crossed over Rs. 150 crores in past one year but dropped soon after Moong Dal was banned for export from Pakistani side.
Association spokesman Sheeraz Ahmad Khan told The Hindu over telephone that 26 trucks carrying different items crossed over to the other side of LoC in Poonch and 13 trucks arrived from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir side.
He said on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route 40 trucks reached the other side while 48 were received by this side. He said that the trade was resumed following assurance from Divisional Commissioner Jammu Pawan Kotwal, who said that the issues will be resolved soon. “We have co-operated with the government and will wait for the action” he said.
Mr. Khan said that Pakistani government had also indicated that the Moong Dal was banned as the prices had soared there and there was no other reason to ban it. He said that trade should be done on consumption basis and not on production.
India and Pakistan started trade across the LoC after 60 years on October 21, 2008 through the Poonch-Rawalakot and Srinagar-Muzaffarabad routes as part of the confidence building measures. It takes place on every Tuesday and Wednesday from both these routes.