Islamabad: Pakistan has condemned India’s ‘high-handedness’ over a Karachi-bound ship being seized by agencies in Mumbai on suspicion of carrying machines for a nuclear programme.
A day after Indian officials revealed details of the seizure, Pakistan claimed that the ship was “carrying commercial” goods only.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated that reports of the seizure amounted to “misrepresentation of facts.”
CMA CGM Attila, the Pakistan-bound ship from China, was stopped at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva Port on January 23. PTI quoted officials on Saturday as saying that a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) team found a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine in the consignment, which could potentially be used in Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
Rejecting India’s allegation, Pakistan authorities said in a statement that the vessel was ferrying a commercial lathe machine for a Karachi-based company.
“This is a simple case of import of a commercial lathe machine by a Karachi-based 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 statement said.
Pakistan called it an “unjustified seizure” and a “violation of international norms.”
“Pakistan condemns India’s high-handedness 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 statement by Pakistan Foreign Office further stated.
Investigations by Indian authorities found discrepancies in shipping details, suggesting attempts to hide the true recipients, officials said.
