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India, Pak agree on trade facilitation steps

Islamabad, Aug 21: India and Pakistan have agreed to put in place a series of measures to promote bilateral trade.

These measures came under discussion during the technical-level meeting held at Wagah between officials of the two countries yesterday.

''The talks focused on ways to work out modalities to allow cross border movement of trucks up to designated points at Wagah/Attari, for unloading/reloading of cargo,'' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said here today.

Mr S K Swami, Director (BM), Ministry of Home Affairs and Mr Ali Salman Abbasi, Lahore Collector of Customs, led their respective delegations.

It was agreed that trucks from either side would be allowed to go to designated points on the other side at the Wagah/Attari border for unloading of cargo.

A hotline will be established between the two Customs authorities at the Wagah/Attari border.

To obviate the need for passports, visas and international driving license, a system of computerised single entry permits will be introduced.

These permits, which would be issued in triplicate by the respective Customs authorities, would contain a picture, ID of the driver, his name, address, license number and details of the vehicle.

Initially, trucks up to the size of ten-wheelers would be allowed to cross over to the other side.

Drivers of these trucks would wear bright yellow jackets/vests with ''Driver-Pakistan'' and ''Driver-India'' inscribed on the back of the Pakistani and Indian drivers respectively.

The operation of trucks should take place between 0700-1400 hrs PST and 0730-1430 hrs IST Customs authorities of the two sides at Wagah/Attari border should establish hotline contact to work out the modal ties of further action.

The Customs authorities of the two sides may also consult each other to resolve local issues as and when required.

To operationalise the system by October 1, 2007, and further facilitate this procedure, the two sides should open a dedicated cargo gate towards South-East of the existing Pakistan Customs House and South-West of the existing Indian Customs House at the Wagah/Attari border. A fenced path shall connect the two Customs Houses through this gate.


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