US sanctions Pakistan over its missile program

Washington has sanctioned Islamabad over missile development, citing concerns about long-range proliferation risks

The United States has imposed sanctions on several Pakistani entities, including the state-owned National Development Complex (NDC), over their alleged involvement in the development of long-range ballistic missiles.

Announced earlier this week by the State Department, the sanctions target the NDC, which it claims is instrumental in the development of the Shaheen series of ballistic missiles.

The measures include asset freezes and bans on transactions with US entities. US President Joe Biden’s Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, speaking at an event on Thursday, underscored concerns over Pakistan’s advancing missile technology.

He stated that the developments in long-range ballistic systems could potentially pose a threat to the United States. Finer added that Islamabad’s growing capabilities raise “serious questions” about its intentions, particularly regarding the acquisition of advanced rocket-motor testing equipment.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Wednesday on X that the United States had “been clear and consistent about our concerns” regarding weapons proliferation.

He added that Washington would “continue to engage constructively with Pakistan on these issues.”

In addition to the NDC, three Karachi-based entities – Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, Affiliates International, and Rockside Enterprise – have also been sanctioned for their alleged roles in supporting Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.

These sanctions follow similar measures imposed earlier this year on other foreign entities, including a Chinese research institute. The US State Department had accused them of working for the NDC in developing Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile capabilities.

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Pakistan maintains that its missile development is defensive and necessary for maintaining regional stability. The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the punitive measures as groundless, warning that they “have dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond.”

It further accused the United States of “double standards” for waiving licensing requirements for advanced military technology to other countries.

The sanctions were also opposed by the party of Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Zulfiqar Bukhari, a spokesperson for Khan, criticized the Biden administration on X, stating, “We strongly oppose US sanctions on the National Development Complex and three commercial entities.”