KARACHI: India’s dangerous game started in Pakistan with discreet control of the DP World / Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) and Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd. Indian officials appointed at key posts in these companies are playing havoc with lives of innocent Pakistanis through spread of toxic gas and Coronavirus in the country by the sea port, but Pak Army and Pakistani Govt are fully alert to save the country from any threat from the hostile countries. Customs Today’s detailed coverage on the issue became true as at least 14 people died due to the toxic gas so far whereas over 30 including women and children are still under treatment at different hospitals. Customs Today reported that India wants to spread the Coronavirus through the sea port in Pakistan by misusing clearance process, allowing the infected shipments to clear without any examination or proper fumigation as suggested by the health authorities in Islamabad.
Pak Army and DG ISPR are fully alert to save the country from any threat, especially Indian. After Pulwana and Balakot incidents, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and other security departments have made special security arrangements at Karachi ports due to possible Indian attacks through seaports. Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had averted any major conflict in the region with his strategic prudence and superior military strategy. Historic measures as well as important and difficult decisions taken by the army chief had led to peace in the country. The army chief had spearheaded the successful Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad following the Operation Sherdil and Operation Zarb-e-Azb which was crucial to securing lasting peace in the country. Pakistan Army is fully capable to defend the country’s territorial integrity against any Indian aggression. Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) says Pakistan armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any Indian misadventure. The Pakistan Army, he said, holds an impregnable ability to defeat India. Any misadventure by India would be given a befitting response, he added. Pakistanis feel proud due to preparedness by the Govt, Pak Army and Customs Authorities to avert any threat by Indians.
Kamran Khan, a well-known Pakistani journalist and anchorperson currently hosting the political talk show Dunya Kamran Khan Kay Sath on Dunya News, in his recent TV Show also raised the issue about spread of dangerous materials, gases or viruses by the enemies of the country through the sea port in Pakistan. He questioned the shipping minister and port authorities over Govt’s unpreparedness and lack of seriousness to deal with the spread of dangerous viruses and gases through the sea ports, mentioning that the enemies of the country could use the situation against Pakistan. In Kamran Khan’s show, Pakistan’s renowned scientist Dr Ataur Rehman who is specialising in organic chemistry and served as the chairman of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and Minister for Science and Technology, confirmed that it is possible the enemies can use the ports to spread the viruses in Pakistan. Dr Atta-ur-Rahman who travelled to Cambridge where he received Ph.D and later Sc.D. in organic chemistry said that it is a matter of allergens which is related to soybean and several deaths have been reported in different parts of the world due to such allergy due to spread of soybean dust, adding that pesticides, insecticides and some other compounds, chemicals and substances are dangerous to the health of the people. He added that the required safeguards were not there during the unloading process of the consignment at the port. He said Pakistan is going to establish a virus research centre at Karachi University to know the structure of the dangerous viruses and then make vaccines accordingly. Even a country like China is struggling to fight the Coronavirus so it is vital to make necessary arrangements and impart proper training to the staff. He said the government of Pakistan should be fully prepared to fight cyber, chemical and virus threats from the hostile country. It is pertinent to mention here that Dr Atta-ur-Rahman currently serves as the Co-Chair of the UN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation for UNESCAP. In recognition of his contributions in the field of organic chemistry, he has been conferred with four Government of Pakistan civil awards including Nishan-e-Imtiaz (2002), Hilal-i-Imtiaz (1998), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (1991) and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (1983).
According to jacionline.org, the source of the aeroallergen of soybean dust is a low molecular mass glycopeptide with a low MM of about 14 kd.7 from the soybean tela. Glycopeptide occurs in all parts of the soybean plant at all stages of growth, but the telae (hulls) and pods are by far the richest source. The botanical function and significance of this soybean plant component is not known nor is the potential for airborne dispersion of this allergen at other grain-handling sites. Inhalation of the soybean dust can cause irritated/sore throat, chest tightness, eye irritation and a feeling of being stuffed up and congested all the time. Soybean dust related epidemics have been reported in different parts of the world associated with morbidity and mortality. A similar case like Karachi occurred in Barcelona, Spain, during the 80s, where a total of 687 people were affected from the incident.
Following the incident, Asthma Collaborative Group of Barcelona designed a monitoring system to record all asthma emergencies on a daily basis, beginning in 1985. The group concluded that unloading of soybeans gave rise to a sudden, massive release of soybean dust that reached the urban area under appropriate meteorologic conditions and caused the outbreaks. The group also reached the findings that there were several factors causing the outbreak. They concluded that outbreaks occurred on days when weather conditions favored the transportation of dust to the city. They also found out that no epidemics occurred when no soybeans were being unloaded. Soybean dust was released during unloading because of the lack of bag filters in a silo, the study said.
Illegal appointment of Indians at Pakistan’s strategic sea port DP World / Qasim International Containers Terminal (QICT) without the Ministry of Interior’s (MOI) clearance could pose security threat to the country. Indians are reportedly spying on the QICT as it is controlled by M/s DP World Group with 75% shares and, many of the management staff and directors of board have been Indian nationals. Through such a discreet control of the DP World / QICT, Indians could achieve their alleged nefarious activities to destroy peace and stability in Pakistan.
Junaid Zameer
Sources said that now Indians are allegedly planning to spread Coronavirus throughout Pakistan while entering from DP World / QICT and Maersk which are reportedly being controlled by Indians. WHO has declared Coronavirus as public health emergency because it was determined to be an extraordinary event with public health risks to other states. Keeping in view the seriousness and sensitivity of the problem and concern of world community, it is advised the cargo of human or animal origin imported from the affected areas in China in last 15 days not be cleared without fumigation. While the fear of such attack by Indians lurk on DP World / QICT terminal, Directorate of Central Health Establishments Islamabad has issued an advisory to Customs Authorities in Karachi that second hand clothing/used shoes and other worn articles should not be cleared without fumigation under the supervision of Port Health Establishment Karachi.
DP World / M/s Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) Pvt Ltd and M/s Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd are allegedly conspiring to spread Coronavirus from the sea port in Pakistan because they have not yet implemented the health advisory issued by Directorate of Health Establishment, Islamabad after spread of coronavirus from China to other countries through sea ports.
As per details, AC QICT Examination Tanveer Ahmed has issued an advisory to the DP World / QICT to implement the health advisory in letter and spirit and provide personal protective equipments including protective masks, goggles and gloves to all the staff members at the terminal examination yard. The DP World / QICT had not yet implemented the advisory which could pose serious threat to the citizens as coronavirus was spreading to other countries from China through sea ports. Till filing of this story, the staff at examination area were not wearing the protective gears. While authorities in Pakistan were giving more focus to preventive measures only at airports, implementation of such measures were entirely missing at Port Qasim intentionally by DP World / QICT top management.
Commissioner of Karachi forwarded a report on Keamari toxic gas issue to Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Ali Shah, stating that the particles of soybean dust were found in the blood samples of the victims. He also suggested to the authorities to stop offloading of the soybean at Karachi Port.
Coronavirus 2019-nCoV reports began at the start of the year with 41 cases in Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, tied to visitors to a now-shuttered seafood market. As of Sunday, there were 60,592 reported cases of the virus, with 99% of those in China, and 2200 deaths, the vast majority of those in Hubei province, home to Wuhan. But cases have also cropped up in 28 other countries or territories, including one death in the Philippines and 69 cases on a Japanese cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, anchored outside Yokohama. The top 10 countries and regions at risk of importing coronavirus cases are: Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, USA, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Cambodia.
There is no doubt that now Indians could make any Pulwana-like vicious attempts against Pakistan and they are allegedly thinking to use a human tragedy Coronavirus as an opportunity to attack Pakistan through their alleged control of DP World / QICT and Maerk Pakistan. Indian officials deployed at DP World / QICT and Maersk could play their role to clear the consignments coming from China without any checking or fumigation. In fact, there is a possible plan that human or animal origin goods of China may be discreetly entered into the cities of Pakistan through DP World / QICT port terminal without the knowledge of Customs department and other relevant agencies.
India is involved in anti-state activities in Pakistan’s several cities including Balochistan province where Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav was caught by the ISI. The Pak Army and secret agencies are catching each and every Indian spy to stop their hostile activities inside Pakistan. To avoid such activities of Indian spies, Pakistan Army was apprised of Indians working at the DP World / QICT through a discreet control of its holding company which has 75% shares and management control of the DP World / QICT. Pak Army was reportedly apprised of some directors of holding company of DP World / QICT who were Indians and have been handling Indian Ports in the past like Rizwan Sultanali Soomar, an Indian national while being Chairman & Director of M/s DP World Karachi. He has been head of APM Terminals investments in India, also served as Director of Gujrat Pipavav Port Limited, India and also served as Managing Director of Maersk Line India & Sri Lanka. Also Devang Mankodi, an Indian national, is Director of DP World Karachi and he has served as Director of Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal India and also worked in Logistics Company in India. This implies that DP World / QICT Port of Pakistan is controlled by Indians. Ports are highly sensitive and strategic assets of Pakistan which cannot be given in the hands of nationals of hostile countries. With such management holding of Indians, electronic data and sensitive information like in and out movement at the Port and other classified information of Pakistan can always be shared with India.
The CIJ Pakistan informed the Chairman of Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) through complaint/letter No. 165/CIJ/11/2018 dated November 12, 2018 regarding the above and specifically in terms of high security risk to our nation due to malpractice and illegalities of officials of PQA, QICT Pakistan Limited, M/s DP World Group and others. SECP, in its reply through a letter vide reference No. CLD/CCD/Misc./C&Q/2016-6300 dated December, 4, 2018 issued with the stamp and signature of Khurram Shahzad, Assistant Registrar of Companies admitted that “in regards to the appointment of Indian nationals in the DP World / M/s QICT Pakistan Limited, please be informed that the returns pertaining to the appointments have not yet been accepted by the concerned Registrar and the case has already been forwarded to the Ministry of Interior (the “MOI”) for clearance. Further course of action will be decided after the receipt of the clearance from MOI.”
Devang Mankodi
SECP sources confirmed that Rizwan Sultanali Soomar and Devang Mankodi recently left Pakistan, fearing action from Pakistan Army against them. But sources said removal of some Indian directors was only an eye wash because the control of Karachi ports is still in the hands of Indians. These Indian officials at key posts could help Narendra Modi Govt to launch Coronavirus attack threat from DP World / QICT and Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, which should be taken seriously by the security agencies of the country.
The NAB received a complaint seeking probe to ascertain link of Habibullah Khan with Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) / DP World in parking billions of rupees black money. In this complaint the NAB was asked to launch probe to ascertain role of 65 employees of QICT / DP World and a shipping company in country’s biggest shipping scandal involving 610 billion rupees. The complaint received by the NAB demanded legal action for recoveries of amounts looted and recovering losses of Rs. 610 billion to the national exchequer per year while also stopping such further losses from the accused persons of these companies including Søren Skou, Claus V. Hemmingsen, Søren Toft, Vincent Clercp, Morten H. Engelstoft, others of Maersk Line; Arslan Khan, Gazanfar Khan, Raheel Salim, Maqsood Ul Hasan Khan, Fuad Khan, Hasan Faraz, Shakeel Masih, Omer Khan, Ali Jawad Alvi, Zafar Iqbal, Ayesha Chowdhry, Zahid Hussain, Salman Ahmad, Aamir Ali, Umais Aziz Khan, Mohammed Naeem, Farheen Mahmud, Mubasshar Iqbal, Affaq Syed, Syed Mohammad Abbas Jafri, Muhammad Tanveer Sharif, Salman Ateeq, Hamza Haq, Ziad Mahboob, Aamir Ibrahim, Yasir Saeed Khan, Amal Sadiq Dawood, Effat Mehmood, Maria Urooj, Zain Warsi, Mehreen Zulfiqar, Awais Saleem, Zafar Iqbal, Syed Osman Iqbal Zaidi, Anum Yaqub, Fahad Ali, Obaid Iqbal, Zahid Hussain, Muhammad Ali Qureshi, Danish Siddiqui, Amir Arif, Arshad Ayub, Syed Mudassir Ali, Syed Hammad Hussain, Ayesha Qadri, Sheikh Samiullah, others of M/S Maersk Pakistan Private Limited; Sultan Ahmad Bin Suleman, Yuvraj Narayan, Deepak Parekh, Robert Woods, Abdulla Ghobash, Mark Russell, Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Nadya Abdulla Kamali, Mohammed Al Muallem, Suhail Al Banna, Rizwan Soomar, Mathew Leech, Abdulla Bin Damithan, Devang Mankodi, Rashid Abdulla, Mohammad Al Hashimy, Habibullah Khan, Nusrat Khan, Aly Khan, Junaid Zamir, Changaz Hassan Niazi, Farhan Mithani, Masoud Noori, Mohammad Al Mannaei, Omer Al Mohairi, Cyrus R Khursigara, Shahid Iqbal, Uzair Qureshi, Fasih Haider, Faraz Aziz, Abdul Aleem Mirza, Saad Zulfiqar and others of DP World/ QICT Ltd.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Suleyman
Pakistani Government, Pak Army and Customs Authorities deployed at Port Qasim should take action against control of Indians at DP World / QICT and Maersk Pakistan. Illegal appointment of Indians at Pakistan’s strategic sea port DP World / QICT without the Ministry of Interior’s (MOI) clearance could pose security threat to the country in short and long term both. Indians have thus got an opportunity to plan Coronavirus attack from DP World QICT and Maersk into Pakistan. All said and done, Pakistan should be fully prepared to counter Coronavirus or biological attack threats from Indian controlled DP World / Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) and Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd.
Yuvraj Narayan