Poonch: In a bid to review the functioning of trade activity across Line of Control, officials from both the sides of Line of Control Wednesday held a meeting here at Chakan da Bagh.
The meeting was attended by officials which included Deputy Commissioner Poonch Mohammad Harun Malik, Additional Superintendent of Police, custodian LoC trade Mohammad Tanvir Khan, Trade Felicitation Officer Rajindra Kumar and other officials from Indian side while Director General trade and travel Authority Rawlakot Brigadier (Retd) Amtiaz Ahmed Wani, custodian Trade Felicitation Officer Nayeem Khan and others officials related with trade represented Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK).
During the meeting various matters were discussed and suggestions putforth to ease out the trade activity across the border. The officials laid special emphasis to strengthen the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to felicitate the movement of traders across the border.
Briefing about the meeting Deputy Commissioner Poonch Mohammad Harun Malik told that the meeting which was held once in three months would be from now on convened fortnightly. The officials have agreed to bring more fairness in trade as to ensure accessibility and transparency. The officials also decided to go for sampling of some commodities to approve them for the trade activity. As of now there are only twenty-one commodities approved and 303 traders registered with the activity, he added.
On the directions of Revenue Minister Basharat Hussain Bukhari after a memorandum was presented by a youth leader Advocate Nadeem Rafiq Khan, the Indian side took the issue of resumption of trade activity from Taata Paani cross. The proposal was readily agreed upon by the PAK team.
Pertinent to mention that Tata Paani crossing point which was closed after the devastating earthquake of 2005- if the proposal is disposed off- the trade activity will resume after a gap of almost eleven years.
