Mufti demands hassle-free cross-loC trade

Jammu, May 22 (IANS) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Tuesday reiterated his demand for providing requisite facilities to ensure hassle-free cross-loC trade and travel, and hoped that some concrete steps would be taken in this regard during the forthcoming Indo-Pak home secretary-level talks.

Mufti said that the opening of cross line of control (loC) trade was the most significant confidence building measure (CBM) that needed to be further facilitated for peace and prosperity in the region.

"I hope that home secretaries of India and Pakistan in their scheduled meeting on May 24 and 25 (in Islamabad) would take some bold steps to further facilitate the cross-loC trade and travel," he said.

He said restrictions imposed on free movement of people and commodities had only deprived the region of the vast potential of economic activities that could have changed socio-economic conditions of the people.

Addressing a public meeting at Gool, about 180 km from Jammu, Mufti stressed the need for credible banking facilities and proper communication system to harness the full potential of the trans-loC trade. "Besides simplifying the cross loC trade procedure, there should be free movement of people on both sides of loC."