Pakistan has made it clear that it considers the US decision to impose sanctions on the NDC and three commercial entities as unfortunate and biased. Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement early Thursday, said that the latest installment of sanctions defies the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries. Such policies have dangerous implications for the strategic stability of the region and beyond.
The statement further stated that Pakistan’s strategic program 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.
Pakistan also regrets the imposition of sanctions on private commercial entities. Similar listings of commercial entities in the past were based on mere doubts and suspicions without any evidence whatsoever. While claiming strict adherence to non-proliferation norms, licensing requirements for advanced military technology to other countries have been waived in the past.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained that such double standards and discriminatory practices not only undermine the credibility of non-proliferation regimes but also endanger regional and international peace and security.
It is worth mentioning that late Wednesday, the United States said it was imposing additional sanctions related to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, targeting four entities that it alleged were contributing to the proliferation or delivery of such weapons. “The United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern,” the US Department of State said in a statement.
