Even 16 months after cross-LoC trade began, there was no proper communication system and banking facilities for cross-LoC traders.
Leaving behind the acrimony over cross-border terror, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) government has, for the first time in 20 years, started a direct phone link with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to facilitate trade across Line of Control (LoC).
Even 16 months after cross-LoC trade began, there was no proper communication system and banking facilities for cross-LoC traders.
In the absence of these facilities, the trade currently runs on barter system.
Cross-LoC trade began on October 21, 2008, from Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route following agitation by separatists over the economic blockade in Jammu during Amarnath land agitation.
Later, another cross-LoC route from Chankan-da-Bagh on Poonch-Rawalkote Road was also opened.
For the past two decades outgoing calls from J&K to Pakistan had been barred due to militancy and subsequent security concerns.
There had been no communication system in place, which has badly affected cross border trade.
“Two lines have been made operational at Poonch. One of the lines has been kept in the office of deputy commissioner and another line is available at the District Industries Centre. These ISD lines are meant for traders operating across LoC,” Poonch district collector Kuldeep Khajuria said.
On March 12, J&K minister of finance and planning Abdul Raheem Rather had told DNA that five phone lines to Pakistan would start soon.
“This has been agreed in principle by the Centre and the announcement in this regard would be made any time now. Security concerns have been taken into consideration before arriving at this decision,” he had said.
“We have requested the government for a third line at Trade Facilitation Office in Poonch district. The decision in this regard will be taken soon,” Khajuria said.
In view of the security situation, strict restrictions have been imposed for users of these phone lines. “Only traders will be allowed to call, and in presence of the officers in charge,” Khajuria said.
Reports also suggest that the government is likely to open phone lines in Uri to facilitate trade through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road.
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