Cross border trade between India and PoK suspended

laborers load boxes of apples on to a lorry bound for Pakistan-administered Kashmir, at a fruit market in Srinagar October 20, 2008. India and Pakistan will open a historic trade link across divided Kashmir for the first time in six decades on Tuesday, a step aimed at reducing tensions between the two nuclear powers. For the time being, trade will take place just once a week, with a limited list of goods allowed. Kashmiri handicrafts and apples will be exported from the Indian side, although it is unclear if carpets and shawls will be allowed across

Cross-border trade between India and Pakistan occupied Kashmir was on Wednesday suspended for a day in view of protest rallies being held in Pakistan ocupied Kashmir (PoK), official sources said here.

The trade on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, which is held every Tuesday and Wednesday, was suspended today after the PoK authorities told the army officials at the Indian Kaman Post about their decision, they said.

Due to law and order situation in PoK, the trade had to be suspended, they said.

Yesterday, 49 goods trucks from the Indian side crossed over to PoK, while 14 trucks from the other side arrived at Salamabad Trade Facilitation Centre in Uri sector, the sources said.

Today 36 trucks from the Indian side were scheduled to cross over the Line of Control but returned after the trade was suspended, they said.

Protest rallies are held in PoK every year to protest the landing of army in Kashmir on October 27, 1947.