The travel and trade standoff between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad continued for 10th day on Monday with a meeting between the authorities from the two sides remaining inconclusive.

Mohammad Javed Khan, director industries Kashmir told Global Kashmir, that a meeting took place at Kaman Post near LoC which lasted for over two hours. While Khan led a delegation comprising of SDM Uri Abdul Aziz Sheikh and custodian trade Showkat Ahmad the delegation from PAK was led by Mohammad Ismail Khan director general trade and travel.

During the meeting, PAK delegation stressed on release of the truck driver arrested by police at Kaman Post on January 17 while he was allegedly carrying over 100 kg of heroin concealed in a truck carrying nuts from the Pakistani side.

“Pak delegation stressed on release of driver and his truck which we refused saying that he has been arrested on charges of carrying over 100 kilograms of brown sugar which was tested and confirmed by forensic science laboratory. We told the PAK delegation that the driver cannot be released unless an action is taken against him warranted under law,” Khan told Global Kashmir.

Khan added that the PAK delegation assured a stern action against the people involved in brown sugar trade connected with the January 17 incident at LoC. “After giving them full information, the PAK delegation sought release of driver assuring a swift action with his help,” Khan added.

The director industries Kashmir told Global Kashmir: “The PAK delegation had a positive approach and they were convinced that the issue will be resolved in a legal way. In other words they have accepted the seizure of brown sugar from their truck which they had earlier totally denied. We however, made it clear to them that the driver cannot be handed over to them (Pak) because an FIR has been lodged against him.”

Khan said that the PAK delegation was briefed about the disclosures made by the arrested driver with other all relevant details. “They said the driver is innocent and did not know who kept the brown sugar in his truck and if he is released they will be able to trace the real culprits. We said that driver cannot be released but provided all relevant formation about the people he has identified and their location.”

The director industries added that the PAK delegation was also convinced about continuation of talks to resolve the issue on a positive note. “They seemed convinced that the issue cannot be resolved by any other means except to undergo a legal procedure. They finally said that they will report to their authorities about today’s meet and the possibility of taking up the issue at diplomatic levels.”

Asked about the stranded driver in PAK and this side of the border, Khan said that the two sides have agreed to meet again on January 30 to discuss the over situation. “Their approach on handing over our drivers and taking back PAK drivers was irrational as they said that if they take their drivers back, that will minimize the chances of their driver’s release,” Khan informed.

Pertinently, 21 truck drivers from different areas of Jammu and Kashmir are stranded in PAK and 49 Pakistani drivers and trucks are stranded in Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar- Muzaffarabad bus service started in April 2005 and the trade started across the LoC in October 2008 have been put on hold since January 17 this year after the police seized over 100 kilograms of brown sugar from a PAK truck.