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Thursday, December 15, 2011
Govt urged for removal of Indo-Pak trade barriersISLAMABAD: Cross LOC Traders Action Committee Jammu Kashmir has demanded of the government to remove hurdles in regulation of Indo-Pak barter trade in the light of confidence building measures (CBM) signed between India and Pakistan. Addressing a joint press conference here on Wednesday, the office bearers of the action committee Pevaiz Ahmad Mir advocate, Khurshid Ahmad Mir, Sheikh Walid Rasool, Ijaz Ahmad Mir and Idrees Ghani Dar demanded to notify trade policy in accordance with CBM and for issuance of directives to federal revenue board to release seven trucks apprehended by customs anti-smuggling squad illegally and to setup an inquiry committee to probe their corruption. They also warned to continue wheel jam strike till the fulfillment of their demands. They said cross border trade started in October 20, 2008 has created opportunities of livelihood for the Kashmiris. However, some corrupt custom officials have been creating hindrances and damaging this centric Kashmir CBM. The goods traded from LOC are being seized and a huge amount of bribe is being received from traders during the transportation of goods from LOC to Rawalpindi, which is a serious concern, they maintained. They further said CBM has clearly stated that cross LOC trade is barter trade between two divided parts of Kashmir with zero tariffs but even then the traders have to pay Rs 70,000 at time of crossing to TATA at respective terminals at Chakothi and Titrinote. In contrary to it, the traders of Indian side of Kashmir have to pay only one percent taxes to government during the transportation of goods to others states of India, they added. They alleged that FBR authorities have repeatedly been contacted regarding the legal and political dynamics of the trade but they are bent upon to create hurdles and are in habit of ceasing the goods and imposing the custom duty and fine on the stakeholders up to Rs 500,000 per truck. The traders are dubbed as smugglers and some times fine and custom duty is charged double to the goods, they disclosed. They added that problems being faced by traders were brought in the notice of Azad Kashmir but every attempt was proved a cry in wilderness. They also demanded of the government not only to remove the hindrances in the smooth flow of trade but also refund the illegal charged custom and fine to Loc traders. staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk