The US has described Pakistan as a “key partner” that shares its commitment to upholding the global non-proliferation regime. At the same time, however, it reaffirmed its long-standing policy of refusing to support Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program.
The US statement came hours after Pakistan’s strong response to the December 18 State Department announcement of additional sanctions on entities contributing to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
Earlier today, Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Feiner said Islamabad’s behavior raised “real questions” about its intentions, and said nuclear-armed Pakistan could use long-range ballistic missiles. is developing capabilities that could eventually allow it to target targets outside South Asia, including the United Nations. States
“Frankly, it’s hard for us to see Pakistan’s actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States,” Finer said in a speech to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Earlier today, the US reiterated that it will continue to use sanctions and other tools to protect its national security.
“The United States is committed to maintaining the global non-proliferation regime and Pakistan is a key contributor to that. However, we have been clear and consistent about our concerns about Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program. are,” Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesman for the US State Department, said at the weekly press briefing on Thursday.
“It is longstanding U.S. policy to deny support to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program. The State Department will continue to use sanctions and other tools to protect our national security and ensure that U.S. Exporters and distributors of the US financial system cannot be abused.”
The spokesperson said the United States hopes to continue constructive engagement with the Pakistani government on these issues.
To a question, Patel said the US has reservations about Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, but they do not have much impact on other bilateral areas of cooperation.
The United States pointed the finger at Pakistan’s missile program
The US State Department said on December 18 that it is imposing additional sanctions related to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, targeting four entities it says are involved in the proliferation or delivery of such weapons. are doing
A statement on the State Department’s website said the decision was made “in light of the continued proliferation threat of Pakistan’s long-range missile development.”
It added that four entities are being designated for sanctions under Executive Order (EO) 13382, which targeted weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
“Pakistan’s National Development Complex – which is responsible for Pakistan’s ballistic missile program and has worked to procure items to advance Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program – and Affiliates International, Akhtar & Sons Pvt. Ltd., and Rockside Enterprise, which are working to supply equipment and supplies to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile program, are being designated as EO 13382 Sec 1(a)(ii) to engage in, or attempt to engage in, activities or transactions that have materially contributed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means; , or threatens to contribute materially, to the delivery (including deliverable missiles) of such weapons, including the manufacture, acquisition, possession, manufacture, transportation, transfer of such items by Pakistan. , or use,” read the statement.
However, Islamabad reacted strongly to the development, calling the decision “prejudicial” and asserting that the US move has “dangerous implications for our strategic stability in the region and beyond”. .
“Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are aimed at defending its sovereignty and maintaining peace and stability in South Asia. The latest round of sanctions negates the peace and security objective by intensifying the military imbalance. Forward,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement.
The Foreign Office stressed that the county’s strategic program is a sacred trust bestowed on its leadership by 240 million people, adding that the sanctity of this trust, which is most respected across the political spectrum, It is kept in, but cannot be compromised.
In September this year, Washington imposed sanctions on five entities and one individual involved in the expansion of ballistic missiles and control of missile equipment and technology to Pakistan.
Similarly, the US in October 2023 imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies for supplying missile-related items to Pakistan.
The sanctions also include Chinese firms Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co, Universal Enterprise, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co. Innovative equipment based in Pakistan and a Chinese national were also banned for the deliberate transfer of equipment under the missile technology sanctions.