Saqib Ali Haidri
Muzaffarabad: Trade along Line of Control became controversial as negotiation process between transporters and traders failed after the third truck was possessed by Indian authorities.
Three trucks including their drivers have been caught by Indian authorities in accusation of drug smuggling since 2014. Drivers of these trucks were detained by Indian authorities in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively.
Trade along Line of Control LOC is controlled by Trade and Travel Authority TATA in Azad Kashmir. TATA charge 5500 PKR per truck as tax and trucks are loaded and unloaded at Chakhoti Trade centre in Azad Kashmir. Trucks from Azad Kashmir are unloaded at Salamabad in Indian occupied Kashmir 5 kms away from LOC.
Trade usually takes place twice or thrice in a week consists of 10 to 30 trucks of trade. Imports from Indian occupied Kashmir contains condiments, Bananas and clothes.
Exports from Azad Kashmir contain dry fruits, carpets and clothes. Trade between the traders along LOC takes place with barter system. Due to arrest of 3 truck drivers of Azad Kashmir and possession of their trucks by Indian authorities in IHK is seen as a major setback to confidence building process. The suspension of trade has resulted in loss of millions rupees to cross-LoC traders.
