Srinagar: Hours after it resumed after remaining suspended since January 17, the trade via Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route was again closed down as trucks from this part of Kashmir returned back without unloading their consignment in Pakistan Administered Kashmir. Official sources told GNS that more than twenty trucks from this Kashmir returned back, declining “hectic” checking measures in other part of Kashmir.“By checking, the Pak authorities meant to unload entire truck load which would have resulted in damage to consignments. However, drivers objected to it and decided to return along with load,” one of the official said based on the report by the drivers.
Earlier, four trucks from Pak arrived here and returned back after unloading the consignment at Trade Facilitation Centre.
On January 17, the trade between the two sides was suspended after Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested a Pak driver Mohammad Shafiq Awan on charges of smuggling drugs into the Valley. To demand the driver’s release, the Pak officials detained 27 Kashmiri drivers for over 26 days. However, on February 12, the officials of both the sides agreed to allow the stranded drivers to return to their respective destinations ending the standoff. (GNS)