Pakistan terms US sanctions ‘biased’

Hours after the United States announced to impose the additional sanctions related to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme, Islamabad termed the decision as “biased”.

Responding to the ban on four companies for their alleged cooperation in the country’s ballistic missile program, the Foreign Office said that the Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are aimed at maintaining peace and stability in South Asia.

“The latest installment of sanctions defies the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries. Such policies have dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond,” FO said in a statement.

Pakistan’s strategic programme 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.

“We also regret the imposition of sanctions on private commercial entities. Similar listings of commercial entities in the past were based on mere doubts and suspicion without any evidence whatsoever. While claiming strict adherence to non-proliferation norms, licensing requirement for advanced military technology to other countries have been waived off in the past,” said FO spokesperson.

Such double standards and discriminatory practices not only undermine the credibility of non-proliferation regimes but also endanger regional and international peace and security.

“The United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern,” the US Department of State said in a statement.

The statement, issued on the State Department’s website, said that the decision was taken “in light of the continuing proliferation threat of Pakistan’s long-range missile development”.

It added that the four entities were being designated for sanctions pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 13382, which targeted proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.