ISLAMABAD: Presence of Indians at Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) is not only an issue of increasing irregularities at the QICT but also a national security risk. As Indians support for terrorism in Pakistan is well-known so Interior Ministry should take immediate action on the matter and conduct a high-level investigation into the issue to punish the responsible officials in order to secure economy by banning those Indians involved in the suspicious and anti-state activities in Pakistan.
These views were expressed by Member High Court Bar Association, Senior Organizer Human Rights Forum and Advocate High Court Aamir Shaukat while exclusively talking to Customs Today.
Advocate Aamir Shoukat showed serious concerns that Indians are operating and controlling one of the strategic assets of Pakistan in the shape of QICT where importers based in Pakistan got discouraged due to demands of extra demurrage & detention charges. It is a serious national security issue and should be addressed with immediate effect.
He added that Indians always defame our image as a nation at large and discourage importers through ill-treating. They are damaging Pakistan at every forum. Our investigative institutions including NAB and specifically Interior Ministry must address this issue with immediate effect as ‘we are not in a position to ignore such serious matters’.
Aamir said that as a political worker and former Information Secretary Mardan of PPP Sherpao, he will raise this issue in party meeting to highlight this at floor of the House in Provincial Assembly. He said ‘we should raise this serious issue at every level as it is a national security issue.
Aamir added how it is possible that without interior ministry permission and NOC these Indians are allowed to work here in such an important area of the country. He demanded that law enforcement agencies must hold the license of M/s QICT due to its operations without clearance of MOI.
He said DP World Group owned almost 75% shares of M/s QICT and appointed Indian officials at key posts in DP World Karachi who are operating Pakistan strategic ports, posing threat to national security of Pakistan.
Aamir Shoukat also said that in order to secure national economy, the government must stop Indian nationals to get information like in and out movement at the port while QICT as most of its shares are given in hands of enemies. FIA and NAB should take action against such acts of QICT as discreet control of highly sensitive port could pose a serious risk to national security.
