The United States has described Pakistan as an “important partner” that shares its commitment to advancing 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 State Department’s December 18 announcement of additional sanctions against entities contributing to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
Earlier today, Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer said Islamabad’s behavior raised “real questions” about its intentions, saying nuclear-armed Pakistan was developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that could eventually allow it to strike targets outside South Asia, including the United of states. of 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 US is committed to maintaining a global non-proliferation regime, and Pakistan is an important partner in that. However, we have clearly and consistently expressed our concerns about Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program,” Vedant Patel, Principal Representative. A spokesman for the US State Department said this at Thursday’s weekly press briefing.
“It has been 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 U.S. financial systems cannot be exploited by proliferators.”
The spokesman said the US hoped to continue to engage constructively with the Pakistani government on these issues.
Responding to a question, Patel said the US has concerns about Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, but it does not affect many other areas of bilateral cooperation.
The US points to Pakistan’s missile program
On December 18, the US State Department said it was imposing additional sanctions related to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program targeting four entities it said contribute to the proliferation or supply of such weapons.
A statement issued on the State Department’s website said the decision was taken “in light of the continued proliferation threat of Pakistan’s long-range missile development.”
She added that the four entities were targeted for sanctions under Executive Order (EO) 13382, which targeted WMD proliferators and their carriers.
“Pakistan’s National Development Complex – which is responsible for Pakistan’s ballistic missile program and worked to acquire items for the development of Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program – and Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited and Rockside Enterprise – which worked to supply equipment and items usable for missiles in Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile program, are designated under section 13382 1(a)(ii) for engaging or attempt to engage in activities or transactions that significantly contribute to, or pose a risk of significantly contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery (including missiles) capable of delivering such weapons), including any effort to produce, acquire, possess, develop , transportation, transfer or use of such items by Pakistan,” the statement said.
However, Islamabad strongly reacted to the development, calling the decision “biased” and stressing that the US move has “dangerous implications for the strategic stability of our region and beyond”.
“Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are designed to defend its sovereignty and maintain peace and stability in South Asia. The latest round of sanctions contradicts the goal of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries. Such a policy has dangerous implications for the strategic stability of our region and beyond, Mumtaz Zahra Balochová, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement.
The State Department emphasized that the region’s strategic agenda is a sacred trust reposed in its leadership by 240 million people, adding that the sanctity of this trust, which enjoys the highest respect across the political spectrum, cannot be compromised.
This September, Washington slapped sanctions on five entities and one individual involved in the expansion of ballistic missiles and the control of missile equipment and technology to Pakistan.
Similarly, the US – in October 2023 – imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies for supplying missile-use items to Pakistan.
Chinese firms Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co, Universal Enterprise and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co were also affected by the sanctions. Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment and a Chinese national have been sanctioned for knowingly transferring equipment under the missile technology restrictions.
