Pakistan Condemns US Sanctions on Missile Programme as “Biased”
Islamabad – Pakistan strongly condemned the United States’ imposition of sanctions on its ballistic missile programme, calling the move “biased” and warning of its “dangerous implications for strategic stability in the region and beyond.”
The US announced the sanctions on Pakistan’s National Development Complex (NDC) and three commercial entities on Thursday, citing the proliferation threat posed by Pakistan’s long-range missile development. The decision was made under Executive Order (EO) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction.
Pakistan’s Response
In a forceful statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch termed the sanctions “unfortunate and biased,” emphasizing that Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are essential for defending its sovereignty and ensuring peace in South Asia.
“The latest installment of sanctions defies the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries,” she said, warning of the potential risks to regional and global strategic stability.
The spokesperson stressed that Pakistan’s strategic programme is a “sacred trust” of its 240 million citizens and cannot be compromised. She also criticized the sanctions on private commercial entities, claiming they were based on “mere doubts and suspicion without any evidence.”
Allegations of Double Standards
Pakistan accused the US of discriminatory practices and double standards, highlighting that advanced military technologies have been waived for other countries while being restricted for Pakistan.
“Such double standards not only undermine the credibility of non-proliferation regimes but also endanger regional and international peace and security,” the statement read.
Background of US Sanctions
The sanctions target the following entities:
- National Development Complex (NDC) – Allegedly advancing Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile programme.
- Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise – Accused of supplying missile-applicable items for Pakistan’s ballistic missile systems.
The US has previously imposed sanctions on Pakistan’s technology companies, including measures against entities linked to missile equipment procurement. In September 2023, Washington sanctioned five entities and one individual allegedly involved in expanding Pakistan’s missile capabilities, including collaboration with Chinese firms.
