India on Thursday decided to suspend bilateral trade across the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan after NIA and Intelligence agencies found the routes were being “misused” to smuggle illegal weapons, drugs and fake currency.
The Union Home Ministry’s order issued on Thursday said a stricter regulatory and enforcement mechanism is being worked out and the issue of the reopening the trade routes will be revisited once they are implemented.
The Ministry order further stated that the action was taken on the basis of reports that the trade routes were being “misused by the Pakistan-based elements for funnelling illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency, among others.”
The LoC trade, at present, is conducted through two trade facilitation centres located at Salamabad in Uri of Baramulla district, and Chakkan-da-Bagh in Poonch district. This trade takes place four days a week and is based on barter system and zero-duty.
“Meanwhile, a stricter regulatory and enforcement mechanism is being worked out and will be put in place in consultation with various agencies. The issue of reopening of LoC trade will be revisited thereafter,” the Home Ministry said in the statement.
