Trade to be affected, say city experts

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 15

In the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, reactions from across the socio-cultural landscape have been pouring in. A collective call to severe ties with Pakistan being the centre of all, traders, artistes and social activists also raised concerns regarding its impact on people-to-people ties.

“It’s a condemnable act that should not go unpunished. Over the years, the tension between the two neighboring countries had already limited the cultural and as well as economic relations across the border. Consistent acts of terrorism might hinder the people-to-people relations as such incidents have direct impact popular mindset,” said Ramesh Yadav, president, Folkore Research Society that organises Hind Pak Dosti festival every year. He said that though patience is required by citizens of the two countries, such acts find criticism even in Pakistan. “There must be people in Pakistan who will be raising their voice against such incidents.”

The trade ties too through Wagah are expected to slump after withdrawal of the (Most Favoured Nation) MFN status to Pakistan. In a statement released in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, Gunbir Singh, former chairman, CII Punjab, said, “India had given MFN status to Pakistan in 1996 but it was never reciprocated by Pakistan. The trade across Wagah has been to the tune of 2.4 billion USD per annum, and has depleted considerably due to tensions primarily in Kashmir.”

He said that through the thick and thin, the barter trade across borders of Kashmir and the occupied Kashmir on the Pakistan side has been substantive, much to the detriment of actual fiscal trade between the countries. “Lack of improvement in the situation even after the takeover of the new Imran Khan government in Pakistan, and the impending national elections in India, coupled with disruptive action in Kashmir, trade and commerce between the two nations is definitely heading for nadir,” he said.