Pakistan has strongly criticized the United States for imposing sanctions on its National Development Complex (NDC) and three commercial entities, calling the decision “unfortunate and biased.”
The government highlighted that its strategic capabilities are designed to safeguard national sovereignty and ensure peace and stability in South Asia.
In an official statement, Pakistan remarked, “The latest round of sanctions undermines the objective of peace and security by exacerbating military imbalances. Such policies pose significant risks to the strategic stability of our region and beyond.”
Reaffirming the importance of its strategic programme, Pakistan described it as a “sacred trust bestowed by 240 million citizens upon its leadership.” The statement further emphasized, “This trust, held in the highest regard across the political spectrum, remains inviolable.”
The government also criticized the sanctions on private commercial entities, noting that similar actions in the past were based on “unfounded suspicions and lacked credible evidence.”
Expressing disappointment, Pakistan accused the US of applying double standards to non-proliferation norms. “While professing a commitment to non-proliferation, the US has previously waived licensing requirements for advanced military technology to other nations,” the statement said.
Pakistan warned that such discriminatory policies undermine the credibility of global non-proliferation regimes and jeopardize regional and international peace. “These double standards and discriminatory practices erode the integrity of non-proliferation regimes and threaten peace and security worldwide,” it concluded.
US Targets Four Pakistani Entities
On Wednesday, the United States imposed sanctions on four Pakistani entities for their alleged involvement in advancing Pakistan’s long-range missile programme.
“In light of the ongoing proliferation threat posed by Pakistan’s long-range missile development, the United States is designating four entities for sanctions under Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery mechanisms,” stated the US State Department.
The move follows earlier actions targeting Pakistan’s missile programme, including sanctions on Chinese and Belarusian entities accused of supplying equipment and materials. Pakistan had previously rejected these allegations and criticized the US for its double standards.
Among the sanctioned entities is Pakistan’s National Development Complex, which the US alleges is responsible for the country’s ballistic missile programme and for acquiring materials to further develop long-range ballistic missiles.
