PTI CHAKAN-DA-BAGH (JAMMU & KASHMIR)
AFTER a gap of over six decades, India and Pakistan on Tuesday restored cross-LoC trade by launching truck services on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalkote roads, scripting a new chapter in bilateral ties. Tasleem Arif, a driver from Srinagar, drove the first goods laden truck from the Salamabad checkpost in Jammu and Kashmir to Chakoti on the other side of Line of Control (LoC) with the hope that one day he would not need permit or any documents to cross the Aman sethu at Kaman post.
"This has been a 61-year-long cherished dream of many Kashmiris to travel across the LoC without having to acquire a passport or without being on the wrong side of the law. I am happy that I will be the privileged man to cross the LoC today," said an excited Arif, who was driving the lead vehicle of the 13-truck convoy to Chakoti as part of cross LoC trade.
Governor NN Vohra flagged off the goodsladen trucks which marked resumption of trade ties between the divided parts of Kashmir after 61 years.
Three trucks carrying gifts (fruits and vegetables) were also flagged off by HH Tayabji, adviser to the governor from Rangar international trade terminal in Chakan-de-Bagh in Poonch amid tight security.
"Today is historic day marking yet another chapter of friendship in Indo-Pak bilateral relations. It will strengthen the trade relations between the two sides," Mr Tayabji told reporters as he hugged Pakistan officials at the Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point of LoC.
The formal beginning of trade has also raised hopes of revival of traditional trade ties and return of peace to the strife-torn region.
"We hope that this initiative of trade between the two parts of Kashmir will lead to revival of the traditional trade ties between Muzaffarabad and Kashmir Valley as was the practice during pre-1947 days," Abdul Ahad Bhat, a fruit grower from Baramulla district said.
The septuagenarian has seen the pre-1947 days as well as when goods used to be carried by labourers in baskets on their backs. "One basket would have fruit equivalent to today's two and half boxes," he added. At Rawalakote, Pakistan officials led by the deputy commissioner Mohmmad Afzal received the trucks carrying gifts and were taken to Titrinote trade centre.
Local traders of Poonch (Jammu & Kashmir) and Rawalakote (POK) exchanged sweets, pleasantries and fond memories.
"My father's dream has come true today. He wanted to do business in Rawalkote, where the family was running a shop in old market area before shifting to Poonch in 1947," said Sardar Manohar Singh, son of 84-year-old Keekar Singh.
Vehicles with goods cross the Aman Sethu on the way to Muzaffarabad. Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was thrown open to cross-LoC trade on Tuesday. — PTI
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