The rising tension between Pakistan and India in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks has slowed down the “done-trade” between the two neighbours.
ISLAMABAD: The rising tension between Pakistan and India in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks has slowed down the “done-trade” between the two neighbours, which is carried through passengers travelling between the two nations.
This unique trade, which has been in vogue for more than two decades, depends on the cordial relations between the two South Asian neighbours. In case the ties between the two nations get strained, this mode of trade is either suspended or slows down. Many people involved in this business at Bombay Bazaar, behind Memon Masjid in Karachi, have shifted to other businesses.
A Karachi trader said on condition of anonymity that there had been very slow movement of goods through this trade, as people have stopped travelling between the nations because of the tension.
Prior to Mumbai attack, the trader used to deal with two to three passengers every day. “Now, I deal with only two to three passengers in a week,” he added.
Currently, trade in only few items such as apparels are being carried out by the Pakistani passengers coming to India. Previously, Indian sarees used to arrive in Karachi through “done-trade”, but it has stopped now.
He said that prior to the Babri Mosque incident, about 12-15 traders were involved in this business, but now, only four to five people are remaining.
Many Karachi traders say if the ties between the two nations get normal, many trade opportunities including the “done-trade” will flourish. According to Ali Zulfi, a Karachi-based trader, in view of the deteriorating Indo-Pak relations and its impact on his business, he started selling religious items such as prayer cloth, and tasbeeh (rosary) to end his dependence on a single trade. He has also put up a small banner, which reads that the “done-trade” is available for destinations, such as Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Parcels of “done-trade” cost anything between Rs5,000 to Rs50,000. A customer has to pay the money and take the parcel, which can easily be carried and declared as a non-merchandise item. The shopkeeper gives the passenger the contact details of the persons in cities Indian cities. The Pakistani customers have to ring up the shopkeepers there or visit their shops to hand over the parcel. The passenger then gets the money on the spot in Indian currency.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}