US Sanctions on Activities of Pakistan's Missile Developers Program

Activities of Pakistan's Missile Developers Feared to Stall Under US Sanctions

Washington: The United States has imposed sanctions on four entities accused of supporting Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile program. The U.S. State Department announced this decision in a statement on Wednesday.

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the State Department, said, "Today, we are imposing sanctions on four entities that are aiding Pakistan’s ballistic missile program. Our stance on this issue is clear, and we aim to resolve it through constructive dialogue with Pakistan."

Entities Under Sanctions:

1. National Development Complex (NDC): Based in Islamabad, this complex plays a crucial role in Pakistan's missile development program. NDC is particularly involved in the development of the Shaheen-series missiles.
2. Akhtar and Sons Private Limited: A Karachi-based entity that supplied various equipment to NDC.
3. Affiliates International: This organization facilitated the procurement of missile-applicable equipment for NDC and other entities.
4. Rockside Enterprise: Located in Karachi, this entity also supplied equipment to NDC.

Context of Previous Sanctions:

In September this year, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on a Chinese research institute and several companies accused of supplying missile-testing equipment to Pakistan’s NDC. Earlier, in 2023, three China-based companies faced sanctions for similar allegations.

U.S. Position:

The State Department stated that these sanctions aim to curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. However, Pakistan has yet to issue an official response to these latest sanctions.

Analysis:

The U.S. move reflects its ongoing concerns about Pakistan's ballistic missile program. Experts believe these sanctions could impact diplomatic relations between the two countries.