Pakistan says consignment seizure by India at Navi Mumbai port is 'unjustified'

Pakistan on Sunday termed Indias seizure of commercial goods destined for Karachi as injustified saying that the consignment was a simple case of import of a commercial lathe machine by a commercial entity which supplies parts to the automobile industry in Pakistan reported news wire PTIThe comments by the Foreign Office in Pakistan came after Customs department at Navi Mumbais Nhava Sheva port intercepted and seized the consignment of a Karachibound ship from China containing components which could be used for nuclear ballistic missilesThe consignment was found aboard the CMA CGM Attila a merchant ship bearing the Maltese flag based on specific inputs received from central intelligence agencies An inspection aboard the ship revealed that it was carrying a Computer Numerical Control CNC machine which have potential usage in nuclear weapons programmesAlso Read Pakistanbound nuclear weapon parts seized in Navi MumbaiCustoms officials in Navi Mumbai had said after the serizure on Saturday The consignment was seized under the prevailing policies in India as it can also be used for nuclear and ballistic missile programmes The ship had left China on January 23 and was en route to Karachi The CNC machine in question is manufactured by an Italian company The Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO was also called in and examined the consignment the Indian Custom officials saidCNC machines fall under the Wassenaar Arrangement an international arms control regime aimed at curbing the spread of items with dual civilian and military applications in which India is an active participant The CNC machine was used by North Korea in its nuclear programmeAs per PTIs report in a response to media questions regarding the seizure of commercial equipment destined for Pakistan the Foreign Office Spokesperson said that these reports are reflective of Indian medias misrepresentation of facts This is a simple case of import of a commercial lathe machine by a Karachibased commercial entity which supplies parts to the automobile industry in Pakistan Specifications of the equipment clearly indicate its purely commercial use The transaction was being conducted through transparent banking channels with all the relevant documentation the spokesperson saidPakistan condemns Indias highhandedness in seizure of commercial goods This disruption of free trade underscores the dangers inherent in arbitrary assumption of policing roles by states with dubious credentials Such acts also highlight the growing impunity of certain states in violating international norms and taking arbitrary measures in violation of international law the official saidThe relevant private entities are pursuing the matter against this unjustified seizure the spokesperson added reported PTIThe Indian Custom official on Saturday had said ldquoThis incident follows past seizures of dualuse militarygrade items being transhipped from China to Pakistan raising concerns over illicit procurement activities The ongoing probe aims to ascertain if Pakistani entities receiving these items are linked to the Defence Science and Technology Organisation DESTO responsible for Pakistanrsquos defence research and developmentAccording to documents such as bills of loading and other details of the consignment the consigner was mentioned as lsquoShanghai JXE Global Logistics Co Ltdrsquo and the consignee as lsquoPakistan Wings Pvt Ltdrsquo of Sialkot However the consignment was actually being sent from China to Pakistanrdquo an officer from Indian Custom department saidWith inputs from PTI