SRI NAGAR: After failing to pursue the soft policies on separatists and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is interested in increasing the scope of cross-LoC trade with Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and has sought permission from the Centre for sending a state delegation to the other side of the LoC. “A business delegation from J&K will soon visit Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK, to broaden the scope of cross-LoC trade,” Mufti told a delegation of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry, which met him here on Wednesday.
He said his government is pursuing clearance for the visit with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Mufti has described cross-LoC trade as the biggest Kashmir-specific confidence building measure taken by India and Pakistan. Sources said the J&K Government has already conveyed to the MHA that cross-LoC trade should be expanded by increasing the number of tradeable items. They said the J&K Government has informed the MHA that it was in favour of increasing the list of tradeable items for cross-LoC trade to 72 from the present 21.
“The list of new items that the J&K Government wants to be added in the tradeable items has been handed over to the MHA for further action,” sources said.
Reviving cross-LoC trade is part of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) that has been formed by the PDP and BJP for running the coalition government in the state. As per the CMP, the coalition government would pursue to increase the cross-LoC trade.