US imposes sanctions on Pak entities for role in ballistic missile programme, Islamabad calls it ‘discriminatory’

New Delhi, December 20. After the US imposed sanctions on four Pakistani entities for their contribution to the country’s ballistic missile development programme, Islamabad reacted by describing the decision as “discriminatory”.

On Wednesday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller issued a press statement announcing that sanctions have been imposed on the National Development Complex, the Pakistani state-owned defence and aerospace contractor, and three of its vendors – Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Pvt Ltd and Rockside enterprise.

“In light of the continuing proliferation threat of Pakistan’s long-range missile development, the United States is designating four entities for sanctions pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery,” the State Department statement reads.

“Pakistan’s National Development Complex  – which is responsible for Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme and has worked to acquire items to advance Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program – and Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise – which have worked to supply equipment and missile‐applicable items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme, including its long range missile programme – are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 Section 1(a)(ii) for having engaged, or attempted to engage, in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery (including missiles capable of delivering such weapons), including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer, or use such items, by Pakistan.”

The statement added that the US will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern.

A day after the imposition of the sanctions, Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer said Islamabad’s conduct raised “real questions” about the aims of its ballistic missile programme.

“Candidly, it’s hard for us to see Pakistan’s actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States,” Reuters news agency quoted Finer as saying at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

He further stated that Pakistan has developed increasingly sophisticated missile technology, from long-range ballistic missile systems to equipment that would enable the testing of significantly larger rocket motors.

According to Finer, if those trends continue, “Pakistan will have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the United States.”

Though Pakistan has not reacted to Finer’s stunning claims, the Foreign Office (FO) described the sanctions as “discriminatory” claiming that its strategic programme was defensive in nature.

“Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia,” the FO said.

Meanwhile, former Pakistani Ambassador to the US Maleeha Lodhi dismissed the sanctions, saying that these will have “zero effect”. Speaking during a programme on Geo News, Lodhi said that such sanctions are nothing new for Pakistan.

“Since the inception of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, the United States has imposed various sanctions, yet they have failed to bring about any substantial consequences,” Lodhi was quoted as saying.

The US sanctions on the Pakistani entities come just a month ahead of President Joe Biden demitting office.