MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 15: The idea of intra-Kashmir trade, to which New Delhi and Islamabad had agreed in May last, might see some progress with a delegation of businessmen and traders from Azad Jammu and Kashmir being constituted to visit the Indian-held territory by the end of next month, it was learnt on Monday.

The delegation — likely to comprise 12 to 15 members and led by AJK Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AJKCCI) president Zulfiqar Abbasi —would travel to the other side via the Chakothi crossing point. “God willing, we will be travelling across the Line of Control in the third week of February for one week,” Mr Abbasi told Dawn by telephone from Mirpur.

The delegation would be constituted within a week, following which a clearance would be sought from the Indian government, he added.

Mr Abbasi said the issue (of exchange of delegations) had almost been settled as a result of which the AJKCCI delegation would be undertaking the much talked about visit. “We had been given the choice… and we decided to take the lead (in travelling across the LoC),” he said.

He was of the view that trade between the divided parts of Kashmir would help reduce poverty.