The United States has announced sanctions on four entities it says are contributing to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, the Department of State said Wednesday.
The sanctions target “proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery,” according to the statement.
The Islamabad-based Pakistan National Development Complex, which oversees the country’s ballistic missile program, is among the entities sanctioned for acquiring materials to advance long-range missile development, the statement said.
Three suppliers — Karachi-based Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, Affiliates International, and Rockside Enterprise — are also included on the list.
‘Double standards’
In response, Pakistan called the sanctions “unfortunate” and emphasized its missile program is intended to preserve regional stability.
“Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said the sanctions undermine peace and security by “accentuating military asymmetries” in the region.
“Pakistan’s strategic program 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 ministry added.
The Foreign Ministry also criticized the inclusion of private commercial entities in the sanctions, calling it baseless and discriminatory.
“Similar listings of commercial entities in the past were based on mere doubts and suspicion without any evidence whatsoever,” the statement said.
Pakistan accused the U.S. of applying “double standards” in enforcing non-proliferation norms, claiming licensing requirements for advanced military technology were waived for other countries in the past.
“These discriminatory practices not only undermine the credibility of non-proliferation regimes but also endanger regional and international peace and security,” the ministry said.
