Islamabad, Mar 29, 2025: A Pakistani-Canadian citizen has been arrested in the United States on charges of illegally supplying sensitive US technology to firms involved in Pakistan’s military equipment program, violating US export control laws.
According to a statement from the US Department of Justice, Muhammad Javed Aziz, also known as Javed Aziz Siddiqui or Jay Siddiqui.
Is accused of smuggling restricted American-made goods to companies associated with Pakistan’s defense and weapons development sector.
The 67-year-old suspect was detained on March 21 while attempting to enter the US from Canada, in the Western District of Washington. Authorities later transferred him to Minnesota, where the case is being processed.
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Allegations of Illegal Trade Network
Investigators claim that between 2003 and 2019, Aziz operated an unauthorized supply network through his Canada-based company, Diversified Technology Services.
The firm allegedly facilitated the transfer of sensitive American-origin technology to blacklisted entities in Pakistan, including those linked to nuclear missile and drone programs.
The statement further asserts that Aziz and his associates used front companies to disguise the identities of actual buyers, routing shipments through third-party countries to bypass export restrictions.
Legal Consequences
The suspect faces charges under the US International Emergency Economic Powers Act and export control laws. If convicted, he could receive a prison sentence ranging from 5 to 20 years for Pakistani-Canadian citizen .
The case is being handled by the US Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The prosecution is led by Assistant US Attorney Bradley Endicott, along with Trial Attorney Nicholas Hunter from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
They are supported by the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington and the Office of International Affairs.
It is important to note that the indictment is only an allegation, and Aziz remains innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
