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Published 19 Dec, 2024 09:51am

U.S. imposes new sanctions on Pakistan’s ballistic missile program

The United States has announced additional sanctions targeting Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, with the U.S. Department of State identifying four Pakistani entities involved in the development of long-range ballistic missiles.

In a press briefing in Washington, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller accused these entities of contributing to the advancement of Pakistan’s ballistic missile capabilities.

He noted that the support includes the production of specialized vehicle chassis for missile launches, with three of the identified entities located in Karachi.

Miller emphasized that the U.S. would take action against weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.

The sanctioned entities include the National Development Complex in Islamabad, along with three firms based in Karachi: Akhtar & Sons, Affiliates International, and Rockside Enterprises.

This marks the latest in a series of sanctions; the U.S. had previously targeted several Pakistani companies in April, October, and September of this year to disrupt Pakistan’s missile and drone programs.

In response, the Pakistani Foreign Office condemned the U.S. sanctions as biased.

A spokesperson stated that Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are intended to ensure peace and stability in South Asia, labeling the sanctions as discriminatory.

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The Foreign Office highlighted that such actions threaten both regional and global security and divert from the objectives of peace.

They argued that these sanctions aim to intensify military imbalance in the region.

Furthermore, the spokesperson asserted that these policies pose serious risks to strategic stability, reiterating that Pakistan’s strategic program is a sacred trust bestowed by its 240 million citizens, which is respected in the political sphere.

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