ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, on Saturday, dubbed the United States’ move to sanction five commercial entities on allegations of links with the country’s ballistic missile programme as “biased and politically motivated,” saying the “double standards and discriminatory practices” undermine the credibility of global nonproliferation regimes. Responding to media queries regarding the US’ latest decision to impose sanctions against commercial entities on allegations of links with Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan considers this action as “biased and politically-motivated”. She pointed out that similar listings of commercial entities in the past were based on mere suspicion; involved items not listed under any export control regime and yet were considered sensitive under broad, catch-all provisions.

Pak missile programme: US imposes sanctions on suppliers “It is widely known that some countries, while claiming strict adherence to nonproliferation norms, have conveniently waived licensing requirements for advanced military technologies to their favoured states,” she said without naming India which had been granting such licensing. The spokesperson further stated: “Such double standards and discriminatory practices undermine the credibility of global nonproliferation regimes, increase military asymmetries, and endanger international peace and security.” On Friday, the US State Department announced that it is taking action against five entities and one individual allegedly for their involvement in the proliferation of ballistic missiles and controlled missile equipment and technology, including Shaheen-3 and Ababeel.

The Department of State has identified these entities and individuals as posing a significant threat to global security. The entities and individuals are accused of supplying ballistic missiles and controlled missile equipment and technology to various countries, including Iran, North Korea, and Syria. The State Department has also identified a specific individual, identified as “Individual X,” who is accused of being a key figure in the proliferation of ballistic missiles and controlled missile equipment and technology.

Additionally, he said that the United States is imposing sanctions under the missile sanctions laws, i.e., the Arms Export Control Act and the Export Control Reform Act, on three PRC-based entities, one PRC individual, and a Pakistani entity for ballistic missile proliferation activities: PRC-based firms Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Company, Universal Enterprise Limited, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited (aka Lontek); PRC individual Luo Dongmei (aka Steed Luo); and Pakistani-based entity Innovative Equipment. “These sanctions are being imposed because these entities and individual knowingly transferred equipment and technology controlled under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Annex, in support of MTCR Category I missile programs, to a non-MTCR country,” Miller maintained.

A. The US’s Global Leadership in Countering Proliferation
B.

This statement reflects a commitment to upholding international law and promoting peace and security. It also highlights the US’s role as a global leader in countering proliferation and its willingness to take decisive action against those who threaten global security. The statement underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing proliferation threats.