BBC claims documents reveal Pakistan’s arms sales to Ukraine. In a recent report, BBC Urdu has asserted the possession of documents indicating that Pakistan has been involved in arms sales to Ukraine, a claim that stands in contrast to Islamabad’s persistent denial of such activities.
The revelation comes as former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa addressed the passing-out parade of the British Royal Military Academy on August 12, 2022, a moment coinciding with the arrival of a British military cargo plane at the Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan in Rawalpindi. The said plane reportedly landed at the same base five times.
According to the BBC report, the cargo plane followed a consistent route from Nur Khan Airbase to the British military base in Cyprus, Akrotiri, and then proceeded to Romania.
Notably, these landings occurred during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a country neighboring Romania.
The BBC claims that documents in its possession reveal that, in August 2022, Pakistan engaged in arms sales contracts totaling $364 million with two private US military companies, namely “Global Military” and “Northrop Grumman.” The contracts specifically pertained to the purchase of 155mm shells.
The BBC’s investigation suggests that both agreements were signed on August 17, 2022, with an expiration date set for October of the same year.
The contracts allocated a substantial $232 million to Global Military and $131 million to Northrop Grumman for the procurement of 155mm shells.
Despite these purported documents, Pakistan continues to deny any involvement in supplying weapons to Ukraine.
The country’s Foreign Office maintains its stance of complete neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
As BBC claims documents reveal Pakistan’s arms sales to Ukraine, it is essential to note that the veracity of the BBC’s assertions necessitates thorough investigation and confirmation.
The alleged documents raise significant questions about Pakistan’s role in the arms trade during a critical period of geopolitical tension.
