Israel is indirectly a beneficiary out of more than $2.00 billion paid annually by Pakistan to foreign shipping companies.

Investigations carried out show that Zim Israel Navigation Co Ltd is an Israeli company with Israeli shareholding (including the government of Israel).

The company owns and operates Zim Lines. However, in Muslim countries - eg: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia - Zim Lines do not operate under the name of Zim Lines.

It has adopted the names of Gold Star Line Ltd, Seven Stars Lines Corporation and/or Seth Shipping Corporation, duping the governments, shippers and importers of these countries, who believe they are trading with and/or shipping with non-Israeli shipping lines.

Until a few years ago, trading was also similarly carried out between Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and East Africa under the name of Laurel Navigation Line.

Gold Star Line Ltd also operates between South Africa, West Africa and the Far East and the Indian Ocean countries.

All the above shipping lines are in fact Israeli Lines (owned and/or operated by Zim Lines), but trading under different names.

Although Zim Lines may deny the same, two photocopies of letters (acquired during the investigations) written by Zim Israel Navigation Co Ltd, Hong Kong, confirm that Gold Star Lines is a fully owned subsidiary of Zim Israel Navigation Co Ltd.

One letter written by ZIM Israel Navigation Company Ltd President for Asia and Australia Shimon Abramski to the Director of Merchant Shipping, Ministry of Shipping and Shipping Development in Sri Lanka said: "Reference the letters sent to you by Gold Star Line Limited and our Agents, Star Shipping Limited, we wish to inform you that Zim Israel Navigation Co. Ltd., has decided to transfer the agency in Sri Lanka from Star Shipping Limited to the Joint Venture Company which will be established by Gold Star Line Limited and Lion Shipping Limited and Sri Lanka citizens.

"For your information, Gold Star Line is a fully owned subsidiary of Zim Israel Navigation Co. Ltd.

"We trust therefore that you will treat this as notice of the transfer of our agency to the Joint Venture Company soon after it is established. The no objection letter will be issued by Star Shipping Limited at the appropriate time.

The name of the Joint Venture Company will be notified to you as soon as possible."

Another letter sent by Zim Israel Navigation Company Limited to Sri Lankan Shipping authorities said: "We refer to our letter ref. A-5426 of 21st February 2001. Copy of which is attached herewith.

"We would now confirm that our fully owned subsidiary Company, Gold Star Line Ltd., Hong Kong, has established a Joint Venture Company with the approval of the Board of Investment, Sri Lanka and incorporated in Sri Lanka as STAR LANKA SHIPPING (PVT) LTD.

"We hereby authorise you to transfer the Agency of Zim Israel Navigation Co. Ltd., Israel from Star Shipping Ltd., to Star Lanka Shipping Ltd. as expeditiously as possible.

"A Letter of No Objections to this transfer from Star Shipping Ltd., is attached hereto."

One concerned Pakistani shipping official asked: "Should you sit back and do nothing while the Israelis deceive the Pakistanis and get monies from them?"

"There may be more such shipping lines which are working the world over under different names," said the official who wants to remain unidentified.

The official said the Israeli shipping authorities first set up a shipping lines in the name of Zim in a non-Muslim country and then they change the name to deceive the Muslim world including Pakistan.

He lashed out at the authorities and said they do not coordinate with the Arab League and several Muslim organisations, who keep a watch on Israeli organisations.

"Pakistan has to pay over US$2 billions each year to foreign flag ships to cater for the national trade needs," says Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal, general secretary of Pakistan Merchant Navy Officers' Association (PMNOA).

He urged the elected leaders to pay serious attention to shipping, which, according to him, is one of the most neglected sector of national economy.

In letters to the elected members of the National Assembly, Iqbal urged them to streamline the affairs of shipping industry in the larger national interest.

Shipping: Shipping in Pakistan is in doldrums since decades. In spite of heavy subsidy provided; financial re-structuring of PNSC; the right of first refusal to PNSC and policies made to salvage the sinking PNSC by the Government of Pakistan the PNSC is in doldrums.

The national fleet strength of Pakistan which in 1970 stood at 71 large ocean going ships has dwindled to some thirteen ships- 23 years old ships even when 18 ships have been added during these decades which is enough proof of PNSC having devoured almost some 76 large ocean going ships.

According to Sheikh Iqbal the main reason of the malaise in the shipping sector can briefly be summarised as under:-

Appointment of Non Professionals (mainly from Pakistan Navy) who are neither trained nor qualified nor have any experience of commercial shipping at the helm of affairs in the organisations of merchant marine

Remedy: Entrust the affairs of merchant marine to the trained, qualified, competent professional technocrats of merchant marine in the organisations of merchant marine.