Regional Ties: Pak, India to increase cross-LoC trade

ISLAMABAD: The governments of Pakistan and India have agreed to increase the frequency of cross-LoC trade and bus services on both Uri-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot routes in Jammu and Kashmir. The two countries also agreed to open bank branches on both sides of the LoC to do away with barter system of trade, increase fixed telephone lines for easier communication between the people of the two Kashmirs and introduce trade permits for businessmen to facilitate their travel across the Line of Control (LoC), the Kashmir Media Service reported. Trade, which is presently confined to two days on both cross-LoC routes, is being increased to four days a week.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2011.