PoK traders likely to postpone J

Jammu, Mar 11 (UNI) The first ever delegation of traders from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which was scheduled to arrive here on March 13, is likely to postpone its visit as Pakistan authorities were yet to give clearance to the delegates, an industry leader today said.

''We have been informed that the delegation has not been given the clearance from Pakistan government as yet, so their trip is likely to postpone little further,'' Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) president Ram Sahai told UNI.

''We have completed all the arrangements to welcome their counterparts, who are scheduled to stay for two days at Srinagar and four days at this winter capital of the state,'' Mr Sahai said.

On how long it will take to get clearance, CCI secretary general Rajinder Motial said, ''We can't say. But on our side, we will get every thing done in a day.'' ''Tomorrow we will again contact them (PoK delegation) to know the situation,'' he added.

The visit of PoK traders to J and K would be a step forward towards opening of trans-Line Of Control (LOC) trade.

The traders and manufacturers from entire Jammu and Kashmir are in close coordination to make the opportunity a success and open the avenues of the exchange of trade between the business community of either side of the LoC.

The first-ever visit of the PoK trade delegation during last 60 years would be a major breakthrough in the wake of the ongoing Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) initiated by India and Pakistan.

UNI