Neeraj Bagga
Amritsar, September 19
After farmers raised the demand for resuming cross-border trade with Pakistan through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, importers, exporters and carriers have also joined the chorus seeking a resumption of trade ties.
Rajan Bedi, a city-based importer and exporter, said the resumption of bilateral trade between India and Pakistan would be beneficial for residents and governments of both countries. For example, prices of various commodities like cement, glass and other items would come down here. A similar phenomenon would be visible in the neighboring country, which is struggling with high inflation and spiraling commodity prices.
Gaurav, another importer, said that after cross-border trade between the two countries was stopped, the cost of glass and rock salt increased considerably in the domestic market. This upward trend could be curbed by resuming cross-border trade. Furthermore, he felt that good relations between the two neighboring countries would herald peace and prosperity in South Asia.
Gursahib Singh, a porter leader, said around 6,000 natives of villages around the PCI in Attari were left unemployed after trade between India and Pakistan was stopped. He felt that it was high time for the governments of both countries to resolve the problems and work together to provide employment to their people. Subeg Singh, a union leader, said cross-border trade could revive the weakened agricultural and industrial sectors in both eastern and western Punjab.
The Indian government had increased customs duty on import of goods from Pakistan by 200 per cent following the Pulwama attack on the CRPF in 2019. Consequently, imports from Pakistan through the ICP at the Attari joint check post -Wagah (JCP) was reduced from about 200 trucks per day to about five trucks per day. Six months later, Pakistan suspended trade with India in response to New Delhi revoking Article 370 of the Constitution.