NEW DELHI, Nov 1: Movement of passengers between Pakistan and India through the Wagah-Attari checkpost dropped by 20 to 25 per cent in 2006-07 after reaching a high point in 2005-06.

A leading Indian newspaper reported, quoting figures from the land customs station on the Indian side, that the drop was more from the Indian side — nearly 55 per cent — between 2005-06 and 2006-07.

The number of passengers cleared by customs officials in 2005-06 was 24,786. Of these, 13,415 were Pakistanis and 11,371 Indian nationals.

In 2006-07 the figures of incoming passengers dropped to a total of 19,341 — comprising 13,254 Pakistanis and just 6,087 Indians.

The outgoing passenger figures from India were 17,359 in 2006-07 as against 23,597 in 2005-06 — a drop of nearly 25 per cent.

Despite this drop, the paper said the duty collected by customs authorities has gone up — from Rs295,000 in 2002-03 to Rs1.04 million in 2005-06 --and a much better Rs2.6 million in 2006-07. This has indicated that “non-commercial trade” — for example, Pakistanis carrying Indian saris back home — has picked up between the two countries.

The trade between both sides of fresh vegetables, fruits, livestock, meat and certain other limited products — has been worth Rs600 million so far and is expected to go up with the start of the truck service between both the countries.

The figure further show 715 trucks loaded with tomatoes and other vegetables entered Pakistan from India till October 24. The trade in tomatoes alone in this period was worth Rs143 million, the newspaper said.

India has allowed 250 visas to Pakistanis for the cricket match between Pakistan and India in Mohali near Chandigarh, while there was demand of 5,000 visas by Pakistani cricket lovers.

However, the daily said the number of foreign nationals, Pakistani and India origin, holding passports of other western countries, moving across the border is increasing.—APP