Pakistan strongly criticized the United States’ latest sanctions on its ballistic missile program, describing them as “discriminatory” and harmful to regional peace and stability, as per the statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on December 19.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry highlighted the “dangerous implications” of these measures for strategic stability in South Asia and beyond while challenging the legitimacy of the U.S. allegations, asserting that past sanctions “were based on mere doubts and suspicion without any evidence whatsoever.”
Pakistan accused the U.S. of applying “double standards,” pointing out that Washington has waived licensing requirements for advanced military technology to other nations while penalizing Pakistan.
The new sanctions came months after similar measures targeted other foreign entities, including a Chinese research institute accused of supporting Pakistan’s missile development.
US sanctions target Pakistani entities
The U.S. State Department, on December 18, announced sanctions on several Pakistani entities, including the Islamabad-based National Development Complex, alleging its involvement in Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, specifically the Shaheen missile series.
The U.S. State Department fact sheet said the Islamabad-based National Defense Complex has worked to acquire items “intended to be used as launch support equipment for ballistic missiles and missile testing equipment” to advance the country’s missile development program, particularly the Shaheen-series ballistic missiles. Pakistan’s Shaheen surface-to-surface rocket is capable of carrying nuclear warheads to a range of approximately 2,750 kilometers.
The other companies hit with U.S. sanctions are Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Ltd., and Rockside Enterprise, all located in Karachi, according to the fact sheet. The sanctions freeze US-based assets and prohibit American businesses from engaging with the listed entities.
“The United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern,” the U.S. Department of State said in a statement.
U.S. had “been clear and consistent about our concerns” over such weapons proliferation and that it would “continue to engage constructively with Pakistan on these issues,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on X.
Miller reiterated the US’s longstanding concerns about weapons proliferation, stating that the U.S. remains committed to constructive engagement with Pakistan on these issues.
White House warns of Pakistan’s expanding missile capabilities
White House officials expressed concerns over Pakistan’s advancements in missile technology, warning that its growing capabilities could enable it to strike targets beyond South Asia, including the United States.
“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,” said a senior official, one day after the announcement of sanctions. He cautioned that continued development could expand Pakistan’s strike reach significantly.
White House officials asserted that Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets outside of South Asia, including in the United States.
Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer questioned Islamabad’s aims about its ballistic missile program. “It’s hard for us to see Pakistan’s actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States,” Finer told the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace audience.
“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,” he said. If those developments continue, Finer said, “Pakistan will have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the United States.”
Domestic and global reactions on new sanctions
Analysts questioned the sanctions, highlighting that Pakistan’s nuclear and missile program is primarily aimed at countering threats from neighboring India.
Security expert Syed Muhammad Ali labeled the sanctions as “short sighted and destabilizing,” emphasizing their disregard for South Asian strategic realities. Analysts maintain that Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs aim to counter threats from India, its regional rival.
Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s former envoy to the UN and U.S., said that the American policy towards Pakistan was “discriminatory” since it had never applied sanctions to India. “The assertion by a U.S. official that Pakistan’s long-range missiles pose a threat to the U.S. is disingenuous, as the American administration is well aware that Pakistan’s missile capability is only India-focused,” the diplomat noted.
Speaking to a local TV channel Geo News, Lodhi added that recent sanctions would not impact or slow down the country’s ballistic missile program. “History has told us that the U.S. has been imposing restrictions ever since Pakistan began its nuclear program. Their attempts were to shut down Pakistan’s nuclear program or to completely weaken it so that Pakistan wouldn’t develop missiles. Their policy regarding has been completely unsuccessful,” she said..
Pakistan, a declared nuclear power since 1998, continues to develop and test missiles to match India’s capabilities. The latest sanctions add to the growing tension between the two nations and their global allies.