Indo-Pak trade in J&K suspended till May 18

Indo-Pak trade via Chakan-Da-Bagh Line of Control (LoC) point in Poonch district has been suspended for another week by the cross-LoC traders in protest against slapping of sales tax and VAT on the trading commodities.

"We have decided to suspend cross-LoC trade between the traders of J&K and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) via Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point in protest against state government''s move to slap sales tax and VAT on the trading goods", LoC Traders Union President Pawan Anand told reporters after meeting of the cross-LoC traders here today.

"There will be no cross-LoC trade on Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point on May 17 and 18", he said.

India and Pakistani traders have traded goods in worth Rs 134 crore in Indian currency (export) and Rs 232 crore in Pak currency (import) since the start of trade via Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point in Poonch district on October 10, 2008.

The traders had earlier suspended the trade for past eleven weeks in protest against government''s decision.

Urging the government to sort out the issue as early as possible, Anand said that government had not initiated any step to resolve the issue of sale tax.