Latest news with #OperationDeepManifest
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trade fallout: India's ban on Pakistan-origin cargo at ports triggers spike in freight costs, delays for Islamabad
Representative image India's ban on ships carrying goods originating in or exported from Pakistan has led to a sharp rise in freight charges and longer shipping times for Pakistani importers, Dawn newspaper reported, citing industry officials. The ban, imposed on May 2, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack, prohibits both direct and indirect movement of Pakistani goods through Indian ports. As per news agency PTI, this comprehensive restriction has not only impacted maritime logistics but also prompted intensified enforcement by Indian agencies to detect violations. 'Mother vessels are not coming to Pakistan due to this Indian action, which delays our imports by 30 to 50 days,' said Javed Bilwani, president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in comments reported by Dawn. He said importers now rely on feeder vessels, resulting in increased transportation costs. Exporters, too, confirmed a spike in logistics expenses, especially in insurance costs. 'There is no significant impact on exports, except for a rise in insurance costs. Shipping charges had already gone up even before the escalation,' said Aamir Aziz, a textile exporter, as cited in the Dawn report. Pakistan's export sector, which heavily depends on imported raw materials for value addition, now faces added operational difficulties. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo With Islamabad already restricting non-essential imports to manage its forex reserves, supply chain disruptions caused by the Indian ban carry broader economic implications. The Indian government's stance has been reinforced through multiple enforcement drives. In one such action, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) launched 'Operation Deep Manifest' to target illegal imports of Pakistani goods routed through third countries like the UAE. The finance ministry said that so far, 39 containers carrying over 1,100 metric tonnes of goods valued at Rs 9 crore have been seized under the operation. These goods were falsely declared as UAE-origin but were found to have originated from Pakistan, transshipped via Dubai. The DRI discovered money trails and financial links connecting Indian importers with Pakistani entities, and arrested one of the partners of a trading firm involved in the operation. According to the ministry, this complex modus operandi was designed to obscure the true origin of the goods using a web of intermediaries in Pakistan and the UAE. The crackdown is part of broader national security operations such as 'Operation Sindoor', aimed at tightening border trade oversight in response to regional threats. India had already raised import duties on Pakistani goods to 200% after the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. Since then, formal trade relations have remained frozen. Bilateral trade between the two countries dropped from $2.41 billion in 2018 to just $1.2 billion in 2024, as per PTI. Pakistan's exports to India declined sharply from $547.5 million in 2019 to only $480,000 last year. The government maintains that the trade restrictions are critical to safeguarding India's national and economic security and preventing misuse of trade channels. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Pakistani goods worth Rs 9 crore seized at Navi Mumbai port; one arrested
New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 39 containers carrying 1,115 metric tonnes of Pakistani goods valued at approximately Rs 9 crore at the Nhava Sheva Port in Navi Mumbai, officials said. In an operation codenamed 'Operation Deep Manifest', the illegal import of Pakistani-origin goods routed through third countries, primarily via Dubai, UAE, has been busted, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement Thursday. The goods being shipped into India were in blatant violation of import policy conditions and prohibitions imposed by the government on direct or indirect import or transit of Pakistani-origin goods. The finance ministry said one of the partners of an importing firm was arrested on Thursday. Following the Pahalgam terror attacks, the government had imposed a comprehensive ban, effective May 2, 2025, on the direct or indirect import or transit of goods originating in or exported from Pakistan. Previously, such goods were subject to a 200 per cent customs duty. Despite these stringent measures, some importers attempt to bypass the government policy by misdeclaring the origin of goods and by manipulating the related shipping documents, the finance ministry said. 'In two separate cases, these consignments were seized at Nhava Sheva port. The consignments were falsely declared as UAE-origin, masking their Pakistani origin. However, investigations revealed that these goods actually originated from Pakistan and were merely transshipped via Dubai for import into India,' the Ministry of Finance statement read. Investigations revealed that the goods were initially transported from Pakistan to Dubai on one set of containers and vessels, and subsequently transferred to another set of containers and vessels bound for India. Further examination of goods and analysis of documents gathered during investigations conducted so far uncovered cargo movement trails from Karachi port, Pakistan, and transshipments at Jabel Ali port, Dubai - en route to Indian ports. Furthermore, money transfers/financial linkages with Pakistani entities were traced, raising serious concerns about illicit financial flows. 'The entire modus operandi was orchestrated through a complex web of transactions involving Pakistani and UAE nationals, aimed at obscuring the true origin of the goods, namely Pakistan,' the finance ministry added. In the context of 'Operation Sindoor' and the prevailing heightened security environment, the DRI intensified its vigil through augmented intelligence gathering and data analytics to target consignments emanating from Pakistan. (ANI)
Mint
6 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Pakistani goods worth ₹9 crore seized under ‘Op Deep Manifest'; DRI says items 'falsely declared as UAE-origin'
In a major crackdown on illegal imports, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 39 containers carrying 1,115 metric tonnes of goods of Pakistan origin, valued at approximately ₹ 9 crore, under the ongoing Operation Deep Manifest. The consignment was falsely declared as being of UAE origin to circumvent India's ban on Pakistani imports. The DRI confirmed that one individual—a partner of an importing firm—was arrested on 26 June 2025, as part of the operation which aims to curb violations of India's import policy in light of heightened national security concerns. This ban replaced the earlier measure of levying 200% customs duty on such imports. Despite this ban, certain importers have allegedly attempted to bypass restrictions by mis-declaring the country of origin and manipulating shipping documents. DRI's investigation revealed a sophisticated modus operandi involving transshipment of goods via Dubai, where Pakistani goods were re-routed through the Jebel Ali Port before entering Indian ports, mainly Nhava Sheva. In two significant seizures at Nhava Sheva port, the consignments were falsely declared as UAE-origin. However, as DRI uncovered, these goods were originally shipped from Karachi, Pakistan, to Dubai, before being loaded onto different containers destined for India. 'The consignments were falsely declared as UAE-origin, masking their Pakistani origin,' the DRI noted. 'Cargo movement trails from Karachi port, with transshipments at Jebel Ali port, en route to India, were established through document analysis and on-ground verification.' DRI informed in an official statement. The DRI investigation further revealed financial linkages with Pakistani entities and a network involving Pakistani and UAE nationals orchestrating the shipments. 'The entire modus operandi was orchestrated through a complex web of transactions aimed at obscuring the true origin of the goods—namely Pakistan,' the DRI said. DRI confirmed that money transfers and financial flows linked to Pakistani businesses were traced during the operation, raising concerns of illicit financial activity through trade routes. DRI launched Operation Deep Manifest as part of an enhanced strategy to protect India's economic and national security, especially in the context of ongoing threats and the earlier Operation Sindoor. The agency said it had intensified intelligence gathering and employed data analytics to detect and target high-risk shipments, especially of Pakistani goods.
The Print
6 days ago
- Business
- The Print
DRI seizes Pakistan-origin goods worth Rs 9 crore under ‘Operation Deep Manifest'
One of the partners of an importing firm was arrested on Thursday, it added. The operation has thus far led to the seizure of 39 containers carrying 1,115 metric tonnes of goods in blatant violation of import policy conditions and prohibitions imposed by the government on direct or indirect import or transit of Pakistani-origin goods, the finance ministry said in a statement on Thursday. New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) In a significant enforcement action, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized goods worth Rs 9 crore under 'Operation Deep Manifest', targeting illegal imports of Pakistani-origin goods routed through Dubai. Following the Pahalgam terror attacks, the government imposed a comprehensive ban, effective May 2, 2025, on the direct or indirect import or transit of goods originating in or exported from Pakistan. Previously, such goods were subject to 200 per cent customs duty. Despite these stringent measures, some importers attempt to bypass the government policy by misdeclaring the origin of goods and manipulating the related shipping documents, the ministry said. 'In two separate cases, these consignments were seized at Nhava Sheva port. The consignments were falsely declared as UAE-origin, masking their Pakistani origin. However, investigations revealed that these goods actually originated from Pakistan and were merely transshipped via Dubai for import into India,' it noted. Investigations revealed that the goods were initially transported from Pakistan to Dubai on one set of containers and vessels and subsequently transferred to another set of containers and vessels bound for India, it said. Further examination of goods and analysis of documents gathered during investigations conducted so far uncovered cargo movement trails from Karachi port, Pakistan, and transshipments at Jabel Ali port, Dubai, en route to Indian ports, the statement said. Furthermore, it said, money transfers/financial linkages with Pakistani entities were traced, raising serious concerns about illicit financial flows. The entire modus operandi was orchestrated through a complex web of transactions involving Pakistani and UAE nationals, aimed at obscuring the true origin of the goods, namely Pakistan. In the context of 'Operation Sindoor' and the prevailing heightened security environment, DRI intensified its vigil through augmented intelligence gathering and data analytics to target consignments emanating from Pakistan, the ministry said, adding that this proactive surveillance resulted in high-value seizures. In the light of prevailing regional and global security threats, 'Operation Deep Manifest' exemplifies DRI's steadfast commitment to upholding the government's policy, customs and other relevant laws; safeguarding national and economic security of the country and preventing the misuse of trade channels for import of Pakistani-origin goods. Through strategic intelligence, targeted enforcement, and inter-agency coordination, DRI continues to play a pivotal role in securing India's economic frontiers, the statement said. PTI DP BAL BAL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
India seizes 39 containers with Pakistani-origin goods routed via UAE
The anti-smuggling arm of the Finance Ministry, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), has seized 39 containers carrying 1,115 metric tonnes of goods worth around Rs 9 crore, of Pakistani origin, that were being routed to India via the UAE in the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attacks, the government said in a statement on Thursday. This came after the government had terminated direct trade with Pakistan, marked by the closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari on April 24, following the Pahalgam terror attack. Later, the government banned direct or indirect import or transit of goods originating in or exported from Pakistan on May 2. 'DRI launched an operation codenamed Operation Deep Manifest, targeting the illegal import of Pakistani-origin goods routed through third countries, primarily via Dubai, UAE. The operation has so far led to the seizure of 39 containers carrying 1,115 metric tonnes of goods valued at approximately Rs 9 crore. One of the partners of an importing firm was arrested on June 26,' the Ministry of Finance said in a statement. The Indian Express had reported on May 16 that the DRI had begun seizing in-transit goods originating from Pakistan after Customs authorities increased scrutiny in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The Ministry of Commerce had last year raised the issue of Pakistani dates and dry fruits entering India through the UAE after the two countries signed a free trade agreement in 2022. Despite these stringent measures, some importers have attempted to bypass the policy by 'misdeclaring the origin of goods' and manipulating related shipping documents, the statement said. 'In two separate cases, these consignments were seized at Nhava Sheva Port. The consignments were falsely declared as being of UAE origin, masking their Pakistani provenance. However, investigations revealed that these goods actually originated from Pakistan and were merely transshipped via Dubai for import into India,' the Ministry said. The government stated that investigations conducted so far had uncovered cargo movement trails from Karachi Port, Pakistan, and transshipments at Jebel Ali Port, Dubai – en route to Indian ports. Furthermore, money transfers and financial linkages with Pakistani entities were traced, raising serious concerns about illicit financial flows. 'The entire modus operandi was orchestrated through a complex web of transactions involving Pakistani and UAE nationals, aimed at obscuring the true origin of the goods – namely Pakistan.' According to estimates by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), around $10 billion worth of Indian goods reach Pakistan via trans-shipment hub routes. Tensions between the two countries – particularly after the 2019 Pulwama attack – reduced bilateral trade from Rs 4,370.78 crore in 2018–19 to Rs 2,257.55 crore in 2022–23. However, trade rebounded to Rs 3,886.53 crore in 2023–24, the highest in the past five years. Notably, total cargo movement also declined from 49,102 consignments in 2018–19 to just 3,827 in 2022–23, the data shows. In dollar terms, annual India–Pakistan trade has shrunk to around $2 billion over the past five years – a small fraction of the $37 billion trade potential estimated by the World Bank. India's overall goods trade stands at $430 billion, while Pakistan's is approximately $100 billion. The curbing of trade marks a significant shift from the late 1990s, when India took the initiative to boost bilateral trade by extending Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan in 1996, leading to a surge in trading volumes. However, Pakistan never reciprocated by granting the same status to India. In 2019, India revoked Pakistan's MFN status following the Pulwama terrorist attack. Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, covering policy issues related to trade, commerce, and banking. He has over five years of experience and has previously worked with Mint, CNBC-TV18, and other news outlets. ... Read More
