Islamabad: Amidst a lot of jubilation and zeal, the 9th year of Cross-LoC trade between two parts of divided Jammu & Kashmir was commemorated by the business community and traders of Azad Jammu and Kashmir along with media the civil society representatives.
A seminar titled ‘Nine year of Cross-LoC trade: Challenges and Opportunities’ was jointly organized by Jammu & Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JKJCCI) and Cross-LoC Trade Union.
The seminar was chaired by Speaker Azad Jammu Kashmir assembly Shah Ghulam Qadir besides a huge number of cross LoC traders, representatives of political parties, members of the civil society and senior government officials including Director General Trade and Travel Authority (TATA) also participated in the event.
Speaking on occasion, Sardar Kazeem, President Cross-LoC Trade Union Tetrinote highlighted the importance of the trade where he shared with the audience that the trade had reached a volume of 4800 crores this year despite it facing hurdles and interruptions because of the shelling on the Line of Control (LoC).
He shared with the audience that the trading activity on Poonch- Rawalakot route was suspended for almost four months because of the shelling but glad they’re that now it has resumed.
He also requested authorities to permanently resolve issue like confiscation of trucks and goods by custom department on the account of nonpayment of duty and urge traders to maximize this opportunity to the benefit of local communities.