Mehbooba writes to HM Amit Shah over alleged harassment of cross-border traders

Srinagar : Former chief minister of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti has written to the Home Minister, seeking his urgent intervention towards the plights of cross LoC traders.
Addressing a news conference, Mehbooba said that the cross border trade that started on a barter system in 2008 through Uri and Poonch was suspended since 2019.
She said that the traders now are being served with notices, demanding tax payment for transactions that were non-monetary and didn’t involve any taxation at that time.
Mehbooba further told media persons that the Cross LOC trade between India & Pakistan constituted the biggest CBM between both nations. It paved way for sustainable peace but was suspended in 2019, she said.
She added that unfortunately the traders, who became crucial partners in this peace building exercise by participating in cross LOC barter trade are now being harassed with notices demanding tax payments for non monetary transactions & didn’t involve taxation at the time, adding that these demands are unwarranted, unjust & also a burden on these traders.
In the meantime, Mehbooba said that she has written to the Home Minister Amit Shah in this regard and sought his urgent intervention