Trade between India and Pak through rail comes to halt

[Gabbar]

Trade between India and Pak through rail comes to halt​

AMRITSAR: The trade between India and Pakistan has came to a standstill, due to non movement of trains between the two neighboring nations since December 23 as Pakistan has so far not renewed the visa of Indian rail driver which expired on December 22.

The Indian and Pakistani traders are a worried lot as entire trade through rail route depends on movement of goods trains. They were fearing loss in crores of rupees.

Indian trader and General Secretary Amritsar Chamber of Commerce Rajesh Sethia said that there was no trade between Indian for the last four days as a reason Cement worth Rs. 100 crore awaited for India was stalled at Lahore in Pakistan.

Sethia said that Pakistan was supplying Cement to India in bulk quantity as it was being used in the several states of India even in Government works due to its affordable price as compared to Indian market.

Sethia said that in the absence of import of Pakistani cement the price of Pakistani cement went up. If the same situation prevails further few days more it would give sever jerk to leading Indian construction companies which gives preference to Pakistani cement then Indian made.

Another Indian trader further informed that Red chilly in bulk quantity worth Rs. 8 crore is dumped in Amritsar to be exported to Pakistan. Similarly many herbal plants used to prepare Ayruvedic medicines by Indian pharmaceutical companies were kept in wait in Pakistan by traders.

Gurmeet Singh Bablu president of Indo-Pak porter union said more than 700 porters were working to load or unload the import and export items between and India and Pakistan at Railway station and they are virtually rendered jobless.

Adding further Gurmit Singh said that it was not the question of 700 porters who became jobless, since 700 families were attached with them and in the next few days if visas were not granted to Indian drivers, in such circumstances two square meals for these families would become distant dream.

Urging the Government of India and Pak, Gurmit Singh said that Trade between India and Pakistan should remain continue for the larger interest of hundreds of traders on both sides. The heads of both the nations should intervene to bring goods train back on track while arranging visa for the train drivers.