OPENING OF JAMMU-SIALKOTE ROUTE: Omar to take up issue with Centre

Jammu, November 8, 2012: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that he would recommend opening of Jammu-Sialkote route for travel and trade to the Central Government so that it takes up this issue with Pakistan to initiate yet another important Confidence Building Measure (CBM).

Opening of this route you will reach Sialkote only in 10 minutes from Jammu. India-Pakistan international border is 30 Km from Jammu and from there Sialkote is only 11 Km.

Responding to a demand to this effect made by Federation of Industries, Jammu at its meeting with the Chief Minister here, Omar Abdullah said that opening of this route for travel and trade would not only enhance people to people contact but give considerable fillip to the trade activities.

Omar Abdullah said that while issues of opening of other routes and trade points across LoC figure in the priority list of his government, he would advocate opening of Jammu-Sailkote travel and trade point on the International Border adding that it would prove highly beneficial for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to travel and undertake various economic activities.

The Chief Minister said that the banking facilities for LoC trade and enhancing the list of tradable items have already been taken up with the Union Government. He said that these are the issues to be mutually agreed by the two countries. He expressed the hope that the relations between the two neighbours will improve further and trade and travel activities enhance.