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Trucks, trade, buses and India

A 10-kg package of narcotics ought not to be the spark that ignites a diplomatic incident between India and Pakistan

Editorial February 09, 2015

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) authorities have now announced that the Muzzafarabad-Srinagar bus service is to be suspended for a week as of February 9. PHOTO: AFP

It takes very little to disrupt relations between Pakistan and India. There appears to have been a dialling back of hostilities and shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) in recent days; only to be replaced by a dispute with authorities in Indian-occupied Kashmir over the detention of 22 lorries. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) authorities have now announced that the Muzzafarabad-Srinagar bus service is to be suspended for a week as of February 9. There are to be meetings between representatives of both India and Pakistan in an effort to resolve the matter. India detained 22 trucks on February 6 on the grounds that one of the trucks was alleged to be carrying 10kgs of narcotics. The AJK Travel and Trade Authority (TATA) has denied the charge and asked to see the evidence, as well as demanding the release of the driver. The Indian authorities have so far refused to meet these demands.

It is entirely possible that drugs were found in one of the trucks. It is equally possible that the drugs could have been planted for whatever reason. It is entirely possible that the driver is completely innocent — and equally possible that he is not. All of this is possible, and as yet, none of it is known as an incontrovertible fact. There are now 50 Indian trucks detained at the Chakothi Trade Facilitation Centre and both sides are said to be working at a diplomatic level “to settle the issue amicably”.

In the wider scheme of things, the detection of drugs in a convoy going either way across the India-Pakistan border is hardly surprising given the active groups of smugglers and corrupt officials on both sides of the LoC; and it ought to be handled in a routine manner by the law-enforcement agencies on either side. But no, instead there is a full-blown diplomatic incident and the pot of tension is given another stir. The Pakistan-India conflict represents the single greatest missed opportunity in the entire South Asian region, a drain on the resources of both countries. A 10-kg package of narcotics ought not to be the spark that ignites a diplomatic incident, and we hope for an early resolution.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2015.

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COMMENTS (14)

Tyggar | 9 years ago | Reply @Gp65: They did it twice. The first time for Salala (which I understand), and the second time when Mehsud was killed http://world.time.com/2013/11/25/furious-pakistanis-block-nato-supply-routes-to-protest-drone-strikes/

Gp65 | 9 years ago | Reply @Tyggar: Actually Hakeemullah droning did not lewd to lockage of supply routes, it was Salala.

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Tyggar | 9 years ago | Reply When Nato kills hakimullah mehsud, Pakistan blocks supply route and calls mehsud a martyr, when India catches drugs on a truck, Pakistan blocks Indian trucks. Whats wrong wit Pakistan?

Rajat | 9 years ago | Reply It is entirely possible Pakistan is telling the truth...err....NOT.

Feroz | 9 years ago | Reply Everyone and their Inlaws knows that Pakistan is the conduit for trafficking in drugs. All know that Saudi Arabia is hanging one Pakistani citizen almost every week for trafficking. Not a word of protest or proof needed. When India wants to stop drug trafficking, Pakistan converts it into Tamasha. With such a mindset there is nothing to be gained by opening up these obscure trading routes. India I think can do without this kind of trade more so since there is no will or conviction from Pakistan to enforce civil and legal behavior.

Sid | 9 years ago | Reply What do they need as evidence ? 1. The opium captured ? ... of course it won;t have label such as imported from Pakistan. 2. Whether the opium was indeed in the truck ? Even if we prove that, they will deny that it was planted. What evidence can be given to country who does not believe in evidence ? Mumbai massacre is a gross reminder to us and the world that there is no justice for crimes done by it's citizens to harm neighboring countries. The only reason Pakistan needs evidence is to refute it later. So it's good to not start the drama. This has happened before and we know Pakistan will not fix it's ways and this will happen again.

ModiFied | 9 years ago | Reply "India detained 22 trucks on February 6 on the grounds that one of the trucks was alleged to be carrying 10kgs of narcotics. The AJK Travel and Trade Authority (TATA) has denied the charge and asked to see the evidence" Ever asked for similar evidence from Saudis who execute Pakistanis for drug smuggling almost every week ?

BruteForce | 9 years ago | Reply Good comparison, @Gp65. Saudi Arabia beheads Pakistani for drug charges, no problem. No retaliation. India merely arrests for the same reason, big, massive problem. Innocent 50 Drivers are arrested. Saudi Arabia lording over a nuclear power. lol

salim akhtar | 9 years ago | Reply dear editor- this is not just a simple trade matter. India , pakistan tend to view each very suspiciously too often. This is the heavy baggage of history that they are carrying. Many indian readers visiting this site are too critical of pakistan. Actually - we 200 million muslims of india are quite happy to be in india. There is basically a very good secular atmosphere - all castes and creeds mix well without animosity. But in pakistan we know the shias, ahmedis, hindus , christans etc are very worried to be in that country. Facts are facts. Where did pakistan lose its script? When many hopeful muslims migrated from india to pakistan - they thought they were creating a nice home place for muslims in the continent. But they forgot that they were leaving behind a huge muslim community in india. Pakistan lost east pakistan, and then the muslims of the sub-continent were divided into three main zones. If all the muslims of the sub-continent had come together in india - we would have a near majority and rule the country. But now pakistan , bangladesh and indian muslims are terribly divided into three camps. In fact Jinnah saheb played into the hands of the hindu leaders. We hope pakistan will flourish, and so also bangladesh. We in india are pretty happy and have full rights and peace of mind. Our muslim business captains are doing very well- azim premjee,of wipro- the cipla owners, the wockhardt owners, the filmi khans etc - all are doing well- remember we have the dawoodi bohras - mumbai based millionaires - so i am happy to be part of the indian landscape and we really hope that the pakistani brothers will not do anything to spoil our lives in india- like the mumbai massacre which killed over 40 indian muslims - why? --- pls think and be good to each other- india , pakistan, bangladesh and all saarc countries can flourish if we give up jealousy, and sinful thoughts and actions, - let all nations thrive and be successful- ameen-

AVMPolpot | 9 years ago | Reply " A 10-kg package of narcotics ought not to be the spark that ignites a diplomatic incident" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ So how many kgs should?

Rahul | 9 years ago | Reply Trust is a precondition for trade. Trust is earned on the basis of good behavior and mutual respect over a long period of time. I don't think either side is ready for trade yet.

Gp65 | 9 years ago | Reply Pakistani drug mules being beheaded by Saudi Arabia does not spark a diplomatic incident. But a Pakistani truck driver smuggling drugs being arrested by India provoked Pakistan to stoo 50 Indian trucks for no rhyme or reason. So which country is responsible for this state of affairs in trade? (Hint: Both countries is the wrong answer).

PrasadDeccani | 9 years ago | Reply "A 10-kg package of narcotics ought not to be the spark that ignites a diplomatic incident." This is Pakistan's point of view. In India, we consider Pakistan's irrational retaliation (by detaining 50 Indian trucks) as the root cause of the spark.

Abbas | 9 years ago | Reply

Blockquote *It is entirely possible that drugs were found in one of the trucks. It is equally possible that the drugs could have been planted for whatever reason. It is entirely possible that the driver is completely innocent — and equally possible that he is not. All of this is possible, and as yet, none of it is known as an incontrovertible fact *> Blockquote

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