Fact Check: Seized shipment linked to Pakistan's missile program raises alarm
What We Know
In January 2024, Indian customs officials seized a shipment at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva port that was suspected of being linked to Pakistan's missile program. The cargo, aboard the Malta-flagged merchant ship CMA CGM Attila, was reportedly bound for Karachi and contained a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, which is considered a dual-use technology that can be utilized in both civilian and military applications (The Week, Asianet News).
Indian authorities raised suspicions about the shipment based on its documentation, which listed the consigner as "Shanghai JXE Global Logistics Co Ltd" and the consignee as "Pakistan Wings Pvt Ltd" of Sialkot. However, further investigation revealed that the actual shipper was Taiyuan Mining Import and Export Co Ltd, and the intended recipient was Cosmos Engineering, a known defense supplier in Pakistan that has been under scrutiny since March 2022 for previous shipments of dual-use items (The Week, News18).
The seizure aligns with ongoing concerns regarding Pakistan's procurement of military-grade items through China, which has been documented in various reports, including those by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) (CNBC TV18).
Analysis
The evidence surrounding this claim is substantial and comes from multiple credible sources. The seizure of the shipment was confirmed by Indian customs and defense authorities, who have a track record of intercepting similar consignments believed to be intended for Pakistan's missile and nuclear programs (The Week, Asianet News).
The involvement of Cosmos Engineering, which has previously been flagged for its connections to military applications, adds weight to the assertion that this shipment was indeed linked to Pakistan's missile program. Furthermore, the FATF report cited the incident as an example of trade-based proliferation financing, indicating that international bodies are also recognizing the implications of such shipments (CNBC TV18).
However, while the sources are credible, it is essential to consider potential biases. The reports originate from Indian media and government sources, which may have an interest in portraying Pakistan in a negative light, particularly concerning military capabilities. Nevertheless, the consistency across various reports and the involvement of international regulatory bodies like the FATF lend credibility to the claim.
Conclusion
The claim that a seized shipment is linked to Pakistan's missile program is True. The evidence presented from multiple reliable sources indicates that the cargo contained dual-use technology that could potentially be utilized in military applications. The ongoing scrutiny of entities involved in the shipment further supports the assertion that such activities are part of a broader pattern of procurement efforts by Pakistan, facilitated through Chinese intermediaries.
