Till May 2005, trade with Pakistan on surface route had been restricted to rail through the Attari/Wagah border. Land Customs Station (LCS) at Attari on Indian side has been a notified road route for import and export of goods from Pakistan since 21.11.1994 whereas Wagah road route on Pakistan side was not open for bilateral trade. In May 2005, Government of Pakistan announced its decision to import certain essential commodities from India through land (road) route as well.
The above essential commodities consist of certain agricultural items, halal meats and few categories of live animals. Since then items namely Garlic, Potato, Ginger, Tomato, Onion, Buffalo Meat, Sheep and Goats have been exported from India to Pakistan through the Attari/Wagah road route and these exports are expected to continue through this route so long as the said decision of Pakistan would be force.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Shri Jairam Ramesh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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SB/NR/SR
(Release ID :20157)