Monday, October 10 2005 14:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Even as India and Pakistan work out allowing trade through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, Kashmiris on either side of LoC have already began making quick bucks by importing and exporting before taxes are levied on the cross-border movement of goods.

A woman passenger, who returned from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir last month, brought 30 bags and boxes filled with goods from across the LoC, an official posted at Kaman Post, the last point on this side of Kashmir told sources.

He said an extra passenger bus had to be used to ferry all the goods she had brought from Muzaffarabad as the authorities did not feel the need to keep trucks on standby at Kaman Post as trade was not allowed yet.

The official said there were many families who travelled in big groups during the initial days of the bus service and returned with large quantity of goods from PoK.

While apple, peach and other fruits top the wish list of passengers from PoK, they also take along shawls, woodcarvings, papier machie and other hand-made products, the official said.

Cricket bats and other willow products are also very popular with those returning home after spending time with their relatives here, he said.

A PoK passenger returning home with six to ten umbrellas is also a very common sight at the Kaman Post as they wait to cross over to the other side.

Readymade clothing, especially jeans and T-shirts are also being packed in dozens by the visitors, the official said.

Those returning from PoK bring along blankets, unstitched clothes and cloth in rolls, electronic goods and 'shilajid', the desi version of viagra, the potency drug, he said.

Pakistan produces good quality cotton and smuggled electronic goods are freely available across that country.

Many men while coming back from PoK were found to carry a herbal root which grows in the wild in hilly regions of Muzaffarabad because of its medicinal value in treatment of arthritis and other bone-related ailments, the official said.

Since the passengers claim these goods have been gifted to them by their relatives, there is no tax or duty that can be imposed on them, he said.