The U.S. State Department on Wednesday announced it is imposing “additional sanctions” on entities linked to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, with the Foreign Office slamming the decision as “unfortunate and biased.”
In a press statement, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the U.S. was designating four entities for sanctions over the “continuing proliferation threat of Pakistan’s long-range missile development.” The decision, it said, was pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. Sanctioned entities, under the order, have their property blocked and cannot deal with U.S. individuals and companies.
The four entities sanctioned by the U.S. are Pakistan’s National Development Complex (NDC), located in Islamabad; and Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, Affiliates International, and Rockside Enterprise, all located in Karachi. The State Department release accuses the National Development Complex of working to acquire items in furtherance of Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, including special vehicle chassis intended to be used as launch support equipment for ballistic missiles and missile testing equipment. “The United States assesses NDC is responsible for Pakistan’s development of ballistic missiles, including the SHAHEEN-series ballistic missiles,” it added.
Akhtar and Sons is accused of working for the NDC to supply a range of equipment to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program; Affiliates International has facilitated procurements of missile-applicable items for NDC and others in support of Pakistan’s ballistic missile program; and Rockside Enterprise, is accused of working for NDC to supply a range of equipment to the missile program.
The press statement alleged all four entities had 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 any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer, or use such items, by Pakistan.
“The United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern,” it added.
Pakistan’s response
In a statement issued hours after the U.S. announcement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office described the decision as “unfortunate and biased.” It stressed Pakistan’s strategic capabilities aimed to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia. “The latest installment of sanctions defies the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries,” it said, warning of “dangerous implications” for strategic regional and global stability.
“Pakistan’s strategic program is a sacred trust bestowed by 240 million people upon its leadership. The sanctity of this trust, held in the highest esteem across the entire political spectrum, cannot be compromised,” it vowed.
Regretting the imposition of sanctions on private commercial entities, it noted that similar listings in the past were based on mere doubts and suspicion without any evidence.
“While claiming strict adherence to non-proliferation norms, licensing requirement for advanced military technology to other countries have been waived off in the past,” it noted. “Such double standards and discriminatory practices not only undermine the credibility of non-proliferation regimes but also endanger regional and international peace and security,” it added.
Past sanctions
This is the third time in the recent past that the U.S. has imposed sanctions on entities involved in the expansion of ballistic missiles and controlling missile equipment and technology to Pakistan. In September, Washington had targeted five entities and one individual with sanctions, with State Department spokesperson Miller alleging the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry had worked with Pakistan to procure equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems and potentially for larger systems.
At the time, Pakistan had dismissed the “unilateral” U.S. sanctions on technology companies, calling them “unfair, unfounded, and uncalled-for.”
In October 2023, similarly, the U.S. imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies for supplying missile-applicable items to Pakistan.