LoC trade suspension leads to shortage of high-demand Pakistani clothing in Kashmir

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
May 21, 2019

The indefinite suspension of Line of Control trade on the Kashmir-Pakistan border has led to a shortage of Pakistani clothing in Kashmir which has caused prices to rise this Eid season.

Pakistani clothing brands are now unable to be brought into the Kashmir region where they are popular with customers, especially during Islamic festivities, the Deccan Herald reported. Cross LoC trade was suspended last month by the Indian government following recent hostilities between the two countries. 

LoC trade is suspended in both Jammu and Kashmir after the government reported that illegal items were making it across the border. However, this government directive has had a knock-on effect on the region’s fashion industry.

“Our business has been badly affected after cross-LoC trade stopped abruptly,” a Pakistani designer clothing retailer told the Deccan Herald. “We are unable to meet the demand in the market … it has escalated the prices hugely and made them unaffordable for customers.” 

Clothing was on the list of 21 items that were agreed as eligible for trading between Pakistan and India at agreed points along the LoC in October 2008. However, as the current LoC trade ban is indefinite, there is little hope for Kashmir’s Pakistani clothing retailers at present.