ISLAMABAD: A total of 99,312 trucks, carrying goods worth Rs 28.860 billion crossed the Line of Control (LoC) on both sides of Kashmir in the last nine years, said Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Travel and Trade Authority (TATA).
According to a TATA report available with APP, a total of 25,527 trucks crossed over to Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) from Chakoti from 2008 to 2018 while 39,587 trucks crossed over to AJK from the IOK in the last nine years. As many as 11,823 trucks crossed over to occupied Kashmir from AJK from Tetrinote while 20,375 crossed Tetrinote to from IOK in the last nine years.
Cross border trade had increased gradually in the last nine years. In 2011, the number of trading days increased from two days to four days a week, while in 2014, the capacity of goods carrying trucks was enhanced from 1.5 tons to 9 tons.
Presently the average number of trucks crossing LoC approximately remains between 50 to 70 from both sides. The volume of trade consequently varies between 400 to 600 tons per day and approximately 1,30,000 to 1,50,000 tons per year.
Currently, only 21 items were being traded between AJK and IOK. TATA suggested enhancement of tradable items.
The recommended additional items included salt, medicines, cement, sugar, surgical equipments, tea, readymade garments, plain cloth (cotton), ghee and cooking oil. The expanded list of tradable items would be discussed with the Indian authorities for final implementation.
TATA recommended the establishment of a dry port or a customs facilitation centre in Muzaffarabad or Rawalakot. TATA was also planning to establish two well-equipped quarantine labs and fumigation chambers at both crossing points to impose restrictions on fruits and vegetable carrying viruses harmful to local plants and crops.
TATA sought a special grant of Rs 380 million for purchasing two vehicle scanners. TATA also suggested the construction of two wholesale markets at Chakothi and Dawarandi, Hajira. The wholesale markets would help reduce dependence on wholesale markets in Rawalpindi and Lahore, which had been a source of disputes with custom authorities.
