Srinagar:Suspension of cross-LoC trade between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-administred Kashmir (PaK) for the last 17 weeks has resulted in a loss of over Rs 81 crore, an official said today.
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have sought a meeting with officials of Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PaK) on Thursday to discuss resumption of cross-LoC travel and trade via the Poonch-Rawalkote road.
Trade across the Line of Control (LoC) was suspended on July 11 after ceasefire violations along Line of Control and working boundary in Poonch and Jammu sectors.
“Due to suspension of trade along the LoC, there was a loss of over Rs 81 crore during the period,” custodian of LoC trade (Poonch), Mohammad Tanveer said.
“We have requested PaK officials — via the government — for a meeting on November 2 to decide on resumption of the cross-LoC travel and trade via the Poonch-Rawalkote road,” he said, adding a response from PaK authorities was awaited.
Cross-LoC trade and transport facilities are considered major confidence building exercises between India and Pakistan. According to official figures, goods worth Rs 1,500 crore was traded since the start of the facility in 2008.
The cross-LoC bus service via Poonch-Rawalakot road too remained suspended for the past 17 weeks.
Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed the worst border skirmishes between India and Pakistan along the LoC this year.
Eleven people, including nine soldiers, were killed and 18 injured in ceasefire violations, according to the Army data.
The cross-LoC bus services on the Poonch-Rawalakot road between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan administred Kashmir (PaK) also remained suspended for the fourth consecutive week.
