Talks on with Centre to allow trade delegation to PoK: Sayeed

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said his government has made "progress" in talks with the Centre over extending banking and telecommunication facilities to LoC traders.
Sayeed said talks were also on for clearance of proposed trade delegation to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for smooth conduct of cross-LoC trade.
"The State Government has achieved progress in the negotiations with Centre over extending banking and telecom facilities and clearance of proposed trade delegation to Muzaffarabad (capital of PoK) for business-related discussions, which are vital for smooth conduct of cross-LoC trade," Sayeed said after laying foundation stone for several works at Salamabad near the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector of Baramulla district.

He said the issues can be clinched if both India and Pakistan agree to the proposal in the meetings of the Joint Working Group (JWG), held between the two countries from time-to-time.
Describing cross-LoC ties as the biggest Confidence Building Measure for ushering in peace and harmony between the two countries, Sayeed said "Kashmir has its own unique identity that India has recognized".
The Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to four-laning of Uri-Kaman Post Road saying his Government is working on a plan to promote Kashmir Handicraft as a major tradeable item in cross-LoC business.

"The demand of increasing the number of items being traded at the two cross Line of Control trade points - Salamabad and Chakan da Bagh (Poonch) - and opening more trade points is under the active consideration and being vigorously pursued with the Union Government," he said.

Sayeed said he favours more meeting points across the LoC so that people are able to interact and exchange ideas and in this connection referred to the steps taken by European Union in breaking physical barriers in bringing the countries with political and ideological differences together.
"The real bonhomie between India and Pakistan exists at the two cross-LoC points of Salamabad and Chakan da Bagh. The reality is what we are observing here, not what is shown," he said referring to the outpouring of emotions, love and affection witnessed when people from the two sides of LoC meet each other.