Pakistan’s duplicity in Azad Kashmir

Azad Kashmir, March 28: October 21, 2008. India and Pakistan agreed to open trade links across the Line of Control in the Kashmir Valley. The cross-LoC-trade opened for the first time in 61 years was aimed at benefiting local traders and businessmen and strengthening people to people contact. Held every Tuesday and Wednesday, the trade has been growing in volume and value. Till February 2011 goods worth nearly Rs800 crore had been exchanged since the day of commencement. Unfortunately, in Azad Kashmir, big traders from Pakistan carry out proxy trade with the support of the army while the local businessmen are ignored. It’s another discriminatory but successful attempt by Pakistan administration and the army to not allow the people of Azad Kashmir become self-reliant.