Pakistan says seizure of commercial goods by India 'unjustified'
Islamabad, Mar 3: Pakistan on Sunday protested India's "unjustified seizure" of commercial goods destined for Karachi, saying 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 this country.
The comments by the Foreign Office came after security agencies at Mumbai's Nhava Sheva port intercepted and seized the consignment of a Karachi-bound ship from China after it was found carrying a dual-use consignment with implications for Pakistan's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
Customs officials, acting on intelligence, halted the Malta-flagged merchant ship -- CMA CGM Attila -- en route to Karachi on January 23 and, during its inspection, found that the consignment had a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, manufactured by an Italian company, known for its precision and efficiency controlled by a computer system.
CNC 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 programme.
In 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 media's "misrepresentation of facts".
"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 spokesperson said.
"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 official said.
The relevant private entities are pursuing the matter against this "unjustified seizure," the spokesperson added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Gujarat: Man manhandles bank manager over tax deduction on FD interest, assaults another person
Ahmedabad, Dec 8: A man was arrested for allegedly manhandling the manager of a public sector bank in Ahmedabad over TDS on interest on his fixed deposit and assaulting another person, police said Sunday.
A purported video of the incident went viral, in which two men are seen holding each other's collars while a woman is heard trying to pacify them.
In the clip, the enraged customer slaps a person and tears his shirt amid the woman’s pleas for peace.
A police official said that the incident was reported on December 5 when a customer got into an argument with the manager of the Vastrapur branch of the Union Bank of India.
An FIR was registered and the accused, Jaimin Rawal, was arrested the same day, said inspector of Vastrapur police station LL Chavda.
In his complaint, the manager said Rawal started blaming the bank for a “higher” tax deduction at source (TDS) over interest on his FD even after being explained that he could claim the money while filing his income tax return.
The accused allegedly started abusing the bank manager and snatched his ID card. He also allegedly slapped an employee of an insurance company when he tried to intervene, and tore his shirt.
Rawal has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 115-2 (voluntarily causing hurt), 221 (obstructing public servant from performing duty) and 296 (using obscene words).
'Customer' turned 'Crocodile' after TDS Deduction in Bank FD. FM sud instruct Bank staffs to learn 'taekwondo' for self defense. pic.twitter.com/CEDarfxcqi
— Newton Bank Kumar (@idesibanda) December 6, 2024
