October 10, 2008	Friday	Shawwal 10, 1429

MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 9: A delegation of traders from Azad Jammu and Kashmir left for occupied Kashmir on Thursday to finalise modalities of trade between the two sides of the Line of Control.

Pakistan and India had recently agreed to start trade through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot routes from Oct 21 and 27, respectively, and finalised a list of 21 tradable items.

The trade will be done on twice-a-week basis while the list of tradable items will be reviewed after every three months.

The 20-member delegation comprises traders from Muzaffarabad, Mirpur and Bhimber districts.

The traders crossed the LoC from Chakothi along with other travellers of the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service.

The delegation was given a warm reception by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by its president Dr Mubeen Shah at Salamabad, 4km from the Kaman bridge.

AJK Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Zulfiqar Abbasi, who is leading the delegation, appreciated the decision and termed it a step to open up big markets for Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC.

“We hope that intra-Kashmir trade will strengthen the peace process and help in resolving all issues,” Mr Abbasi told Dawn.

He said though the AJK Chamber had not been satisfied with the list of tradable items, it was hopeful that the volume of trade would be substantial.