Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday categorically ruled out any compromise on the country’s nuclear program amid sanctions from the United States over Washington’s concerns about Islamabad’s strategic capabilities.
Speaking at a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz said: “There is no justification for the sanctions imposed on us […] There will be no compromise on Pakistan’s nuclear programme”.
His remarks come as President Joe Biden’s administration announced last week additional sanctions related to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program targeting four entities it says contribute to the proliferation or supply of such weapons.
The move drew a strong response from the State Department, which called the move “biased” and warned that it could have dangerous implications for the strategic stability of the region and beyond.
Sanctions pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 13382 were later discussed with US Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, who said Pakistan was developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that would eventually allow it to strike targets outside South Asia, including the US.
Speaking at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Finer noted that Islamabad’s behavior raised “real questions” about its intentions.
The FO again responded to these remarks, calling them “confused and illogical”.
Addressing the issue a day earlier while talking to Geo News, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch noted that US sanctions against Pakistan’s missile program were unwarranted and damaging bilateral relations.
“A superpower should not feel discomfort or perceive a threat from Pakistan’s missile program,” she said, stressing that the country’s defense programs – both nuclear and missile – are solely for the country’s security interests.
The spokesman’s statement echoes Prime Minister Shehbaz’s statement today, where he stressed that Pakistan’s nuclear capability was only for its defense.
recently imposed sanctions on entities including the National Development Complex (NDC), which the US said was responsible for Pakistan’s ballistic missile program and was working to acquire items to support the country’s long-range ballistic missile initiative.
It also sanctioned Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited and Rockside Enterprise for working to supply equipment and missile-use items for the ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile program.
This is not the first time that Washington has gone after Islamabad’s strategic capabilities, as in October 2023 it imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies for supplying missile-use items to Pakistan.
Prime Minister reaffirms determination against terrorism
Prime Minister Shehbaz further condemned the tragic loss of 17 security personnel in the recent terrorist attack, termed as “khawarij”.
The Prime Minister praised the security forces for their resilience, saying that they eliminated eight terrorists during the operation. He emphasized that the Chief of General Staff General Asim Munir personally visited the soldiers to boost their morale and show the state’s unwavering support to its defenders.
He further reaffirmed his government’s resolve to eradicate terrorism, saying, “We will not rest until the head of terrorism is crushed”.
He noted that recent incidents of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have raised concerns, particularly the tragic sectarian violence in KP, which he described as “deeply disturbing”.
He pointed out that while the Kurram district – which was declared a “disaster” due to a crisis stemming from tribal clashes that have left more than 200 dead since July – was engulfed in bloodshed, other political groups were busy staging protests in Islamabad.
The prime minister emphasized that the government actively cooperates with the provincial administrations in the fight against terrorism.
“All available resources are being used to fight terrorism in a comprehensive manner,” he said, assuring that the government stands firmly with the security forces in this battle.
PTI meeting
On political matters, the Prime Minister referred to a recent meeting with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership. He emphasized that the national interest must take precedence over personal agendas.
“It is essential to align personal interests with national priorities.” He expressed hope that the discussions between the committees would bring solutions beneficial to the country.
The prime minister also shared optimism about Pakistan’s economic stability, noting that inflation is at its lowest level since 2018 and exports are steadily growing.
He emphasized strengthening ties with Bangladesh, citing positive discussions with Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and rice exports to Bangladesh as promising developments for economic growth.
