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Cross-LoC trade brings cheer to many
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rangarh Nullah-(Poonch), October 19
Five years ago, this place and many other adjoining habitations close to the Line of Control (LoC), used to be rattled by heavy artillery and mortar shelling from across the border.

Thanks to the peace process and confidence-building measures (CBMs), peace is returning here and on Tuesday, trucks carrying goods will roll through this belt on the Poonch-Rawalkote road.

The area, which used to be shelled by Pakistani gunners, now has the last cross LoC-trade terminal on this side of the Poonch-Rawalkote road.

“There was heavy mortar and artillery shelling from across the border and we feared for our lives. But thanks to the peace process and confidence-building measures between India and Pakistan, it will be a historic occasion when trucks carrying trade items will cross over across the border from our area. We are happy about the start of cross-LoC trade”, Muhammad Sageer Khan of Gilbhar village said. Sageer said: “My father Muhammad Akbar Khan died in 1994. He used to carry trade items like maize, ghee and rice on mules to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and would bring salt from Pakistan. Trade between both sides will boost the economy and will bring people closer.”

Muhammad Sadeeq of Khai village has set up a tea stall inside the cross- LoC trade terminal. He said: “There were times when we used to live under constant fear due to shelling from across the border. But now we will trade with them”.

Additional district development commissioner, Poonch, Dr Rattan Lal, said: “Most of the offices meant to streamline cross-LoC trade have started functioning.”