Pakistan on Sunday deplored India’s “unilateral” decision to suspend cross-LoC trade and rejected the allegations regarding its “misuse” by elements from across the border.
India Thursday indefinitely suspended cross-border trade attwo points—Salamabad and Chakan-da-Bagh—along the Line of Control in Jammu andKashmir.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the Indian action was basedon “groundless accusations that this mechanism is being used for smuggling,narcotics, fake currency and militancy”.
This litany is all too familiar and in line with India’sfrequent attempts to portray legitimate activities of the people in Jammu &Kashmir as linked to militancy, the FO said.
The FO said the cross-LoC trade has been one of thefunctional Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) between the two countries, whichcame about after arduous diplomatic efforts.
“The unilateral suspension of this Kashmir-related CBMindicates that India is seeking to reverse even the modest gains made by thetwo countries in the diplomatic domain. Its suspension without consultingPakistan is deeply regrettable,” it said.
The FO said the suspension of the cross-LoC trade adds tothe economic hardship and further squeezes the segment of people who couldmodestly benefit from this facility.
“In our view, there are better ways of dealing with issues relating to implementation, if any, than resorting to unilateral suspension of important CBMs,” the FO said. “We urge India to refrain from taking unilateral measures and resolve differences through constructive engagement with a view to transitioning from conflict to cooperation,” it added.