Pakistan terms US sanctions over missile program as ‘unfortunate, biased’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan termed the United State’s decision to impose sanctions on more entities related to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program as ‘unfortunate and biased’.

Islamabad’s reaction came hours after Washington imposed new sanctions related to nuclear-armed Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program on the state-owned defense agency National Development Complex (NDC) and three commercial firms.

In a statement on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, “Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia.”

The sanctions have dangerous “implications for the regional stability” and aim to “accentuate military asymmetries”, the FO spox stated.

“Pakistan’s strategic programme is a sacred trust bestowed by 240 million people upon its leadership. The sanctity of this trust, held in the highest esteem across the entire political spectrum, cannot be compromised,” the statement read.

Islamabad also regretted the “imposition of sanctions” on private commercial entities, saying the sanctions were imposed on “mere doubts and suspicion” without any evidence.

Criticising the United States’ double standards, the statement noted that the US has waived off the licensing requirement for advanced military technology to other countries in the past contrary to its strict stance on adherence to non-proliferation norms.

“Such double standards and discriminatory practices not only undermine the credibility of non-proliferation regimes but also endanger regional and international peace and security,” it concluded.

US sanctions NDC, three entities

In a statement, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the sanctions were imposed on the four entities including one state-run agency under an Executive Order (EO) 13382, that “targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.”

The private entities slapped with sanctions were Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise, all located in Karachi.

The sanctions freeze any U.S. property belonging to the targeted entities and bar Americans from doing business with them.

“Pakistan’s National Development Complex was responsible for the development and advancement of Pakistan’s ballistic missile program,” the State Department statement stated.

Furthermore, it noted that the aforementioned private firms have “worked to supply equipment and missile‐applicable items” to the ballistic missile program.

“The restrictions are imposed under Executive Order (EO) 13382 Section 1(a)(ii) for having engaged or attempted to engage, in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery (including missiles capable of delivering such weapons), including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer, or use such items, by Pakistan,” the statement read.

“The United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern,” Miller said.

Earlier in September this year, Washington targeted five entities and one individual with sanctions, which were involved in the expansion of ballistic missiles — Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems — and controlling missile equipment and technology to Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention that Islamabad has refused to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the cornerstone of the international system designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.