Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Feb 11: In a major development, the trans-Line of Control (LoC) Trade standoff between India and Pakistan has been resolved with drivers stranded on either side of LoC to be released tomorrow.
Sources said that the standoff may end tomorrow as Trade Facilitation Officer (TFO), Salamabad, Showkat Ahmad Rather, has received a communication from Ministry of External Affairs Government of India for resuming the trans LoC trade that remains stranded since January 17 after recovery of 114 kilogrammes of Brown Sugar.
Sources said that the TFO Salamabad contacted his Pakistani counterpart, TFO Chakoti, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Basharat Amin, but he denied having received any such communication from the Ministry of External Affairs Government of Pakistan for resumption of the trade.
The 27 Kashmiri drivers and 48 PoK truck drivers are expected to be released after the meeting that is being held at Aman Setu on the LoC tomorrow.
Sources, however, said that the truck driver, Mohammad Shafiq Awan son of Abdul Aziz Awan of Shard, Muzaffarabad, PoK may not be released tomorrow. “He may be released on bail once challan against him is produced in the court as his involvement has not been proved by police”, sources added. Sources said that the truck driver had no knowledge about the brown sugar being part of the consignment.
Pakistan detained 27 truck drivers and their trucks at Chakoti TFC and refused to accept 48 PoK trucks and their drivers after Police arrested a PoK truck driver on January 17 following seizure of 114 kilogrammes of Brown Sugar from his truck at Salamabad in Uri North Kashmir.
The PoK truck bearing registration number RIS-102137 was seized at Salamabad TFC, Uri last month by police and its driver arrested for smuggling narcotics through trans-LoC trade.
Earlier in the day External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin today said that India is working “vigorously” with Pakistan to ensure the return of 27 detained truckers.
“We are in regular touch through diplomatic channels on the issue of 27 Indian truckers who are awaiting their return from across the Line of Control,” Akbaruddin told reporters in New Delhi.
Describing it as a “humanitarian” issue, he said India has been regularly taking it up with the Pakistani authorities. “This is a humanitarian issue as is the issue of cross-LoC travel,” the spokesman said.
“It is our intention to try and normalise the situation as quickly as possible. Let me assure you we are working through diplomatic channels as vigorously as possible,” Akbaruddin said.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel