MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 31: Pakistan said on Monday it would make special arrangements to give earthquake survivors easy access to held Kashmir, allaying concerns bureaucracy would hamper the efforts of thousands to cross the border.
Pakistan and India agreed at the weekend that five points along the Line of Control (LoC), would be opened from Nov 7 to allow earthquake relief and people from both sides to cross to see family and friends.
They agreed that those wishing to travel would follow the same procedures as people who have used a cross-border bus service launched in March.
But that process, which involves six applications forms, exchanges of lists of applicants from the two sides and then laborious checks, can take up to a month.
The two countries said they would try to process applications within 10 days but there are doubts that can be done.
“Bureaucracy is slow, they’re going to have to evolve a new system,” said an official in Azad Kashmir, who did not want to be identified.
“They couldn’t cater for the demand from bus passengers — thousands applied but only 500 went. If they’re going to go for the same system they’re not going to deliver and I think they’re going to go for the same system.”
However, Minister of Social Affairs Zubaida Jalal said there would be special arrangements for earthquake survivors.
“There will be specific arrangements, keeping the situation in mind, arrangements on both sides to facilitate that, so I think they’ll be able to cope with it,” she told a news conference in Muzaffarabad.
She did not elaborate, but said the opening of the LoC would be a big boost for divided families.
“Once it really opens up, psychologically and otherwise, it will make a big difference for the people on both sides.”
MOVE HAILED: Ordinary Kashmiris welcomed the news that they may soon be able to cross the LoC.
“The opening would be a great help,” said Nasir Butt, who lives in the Neelum valley, northeast of Muzaffarabad.—Agencies
