The mother of all CBMs between India and Pakistan, the Cross-LoC travel and trade, is in peril. The suspension of trade and travel through the Rawlakot-Poonch route for an indefinite period and creating of impediments on Srinagar-Muzzafarbad route after exchange of firing across the line on Battal Sector and Hajeera sub-division goes against the spirit of building trust and improving relations between the two countries. For its vagaries in the relations between the two countries including 26/11, 2008 Mumbai attacks this important Kashmir related CBM had strengthened the hope. The same hope had to be nourished, not aborted. The relations between New Delhi and Islamabad during the past two years had shown steady progress. The accommodative approach in the two capitals and improving trade relations were indicative that the two countries were forging bonds of friendship on permanent basis that would enable them to address the core issues with a new spirit and zeal in a friendly atmosphere. The trade along the Srinagar- Muzzafarbad route for various procedural impediments could not pick up along the expected lines but Poonch-Rawlakot sector had emerged as hub of commercial activities between the two parts of the state. Foreign affairs mandarins in the two countries have been seeing the trade and travel CBM as a gateway for finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the problem. On July 27, 2011, India and Pakistan Affairs Ministers met in New Delhi. Besides addressing various issues confronting the two countries, in a cordial atmosphere they took some important decisions regarding travel and trade across the line dividing the State. It was decided that the Cross-Loc travel would be expanded to include visits for tourism and religious pilgrimage. Moreover the bus service between Srinagar-Muzzafarbad instead of being fortnightly was decided to be weekly. Besides it was resolved that the processing of travel applications would be initiated through quickest means such as e-mails and applications would be disposed of within 45 days. Numerous decisions were also taken regarding trade across the line. In keeping with cordiality of relations between the two countries the trade through Rawlakot-Poonch should be resumed immediately and decision taken at 2011 meeting implemented in letter and spirit.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 2 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 2 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 3 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST