Pakistan today expressed its willingness to allow trade through Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir for a limited number of goods, a development that could be a key peace initiative between the neighbours.

This was stated by visiting Pakistan Commerce Secretary Syed Asif Shah in his meeting with Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh here, a day after the two countries set a target of reaching 10 billion dollars trade.

“In my discussions, I raised this issue whether trade can be done through LoC, to which Commerce Secretary Shah’s response was that Pakistan is in favour of duty-free movement of goods through this route for a limited number of items,” Ramesh told reporters after the meeting.

Pakistan’s willingness on free trade through Jammu and Kashmir comes barely a fortnight after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said “the Line of Control can become a line of peace with a freer flow of ideas, goods, services and people”.

Ramesh said when he asked whether the LoC trade route can begin this year, Shah said certain infrastructure facilities needed to be rebuilt since many bridges had collapsed in the devastating earthquake in October 2005.

Shah said “there is a feeling of openness in trade and we need to take it forward”. Shah also said he would “take home” India’s proposal put forward by Ramesh today, on investment along with trade in merchandise goods.

Ramesh suggested the trade point in Jammu and Kashmir can start operating on the lines of Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. “If we can open Nathu La for trade with China, there is no reason we cannot do it in Jammu and Kashmir,” Ramesh said.

... contd.