Three trucks loaded with dry fruits from Pakistan arrives in India

Three trucks loaded with dry fruits today arrived in India from Pakistan thus regularizing the movement of trucks across the border.

Wagah Border, Oct 3 : Three trucks loaded with dry fruits today arrived in India from Pakistan thus regularizing the movement of trucks across the border.

Pakistan's senior custom officials flagged off the trucks from their side.

Indian officials gave a rousing welcome to the truck drivers and expressed their happiness over the new trade route.

"Earlier our truck had left for Pakistan from the same border. This truck service is a boon for both the sides," said Virat Choudhary, Assistant Commissioner of Customs, who is posted in Attari Border.

"We are happy that the truck trade has started. First we used to face a lot of difficulties, but now with this trade we will gain," said Pakistani truck driver Sallaudin, who hails from Baluchistan.

Jamil Hassan, another driver said he was delighted to see the warm welcome extended to them.

"I am very happy today. They have welcomed us like a big brother, I hope this solidarity and love remains forever," he said.

Unlike the protests by porters when Indian trucks had crossed over to Pakistan, this time porters at Attari border looked jubilant and they even performed Bhangra.

On Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal had flagged off a truck loaded with tomatoes from the Indian side.

The trucks from both countries will only drive only up to the customs house on the opposite side, located just one kilometer inside the border.

Only customs-cleared trucks with special permits for drivers will be allowed to go further into the country and unload their goods.

This is the first time in 60 years of history that both India and Pakistan are sending loaded trucks to each other's territory through the international Attari check post.

Earlier, trade shipments even for Lahore had to be routed through Mumbai to Karachi via Dubai, placing the Punjabi entrepreneurs at a severe economic disadvantage in an increasingly competitive world.

So far, goods were off-loaded by trucks in their own countries and then carried manually by hundreds of porters on both sides of the border.

When it came to large volumes, goods used to be carried on the Kandla-Dubai-Karachi route. With the time, distance and money involved, that process made no business sense.

This trade move is expected to boost direct trade between India and Pakistan four to five times.

ANI