The United States has imposed additional sanctions on Pakistan's ballistic missile program, as reported on Wednesday (December 19).
According to Reuters, the US has sanctioned four entities in Pakistan, including a state-owned defense organization. These sanctions target institutions involved in the proliferation or supply of ballistic missiles.
In a statement, Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US State Department, said, "The United States will continue to address concerns regarding the proliferation and related procurement activities."
The US State Department's website noted that the decision was made in light of the threat posed by Pakistan’s long-range missile program.
One of the Pakistani entities under US sanctions is the National Development Complex (NDC), based in Islamabad. Another is Akhtar & Sons Private Limited, a Karachi-based firm that supplies materials for NDC’s long-range missile development programs.
The third entity is Affiliates International, also located in Karachi, which provides various equipment to NDC. Additionally, Rockside Enterprise, another Karachi-based company supplying equipment to NDC, has also been sanctioned.
Meanwhile, Islamabad responded within hours of the US announcement, calling the decision biased.
In a statement on Thursday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch expressed disappointment, saying, "Pakistan considers the US decision to impose sanctions on NDC and three other commercial entities as unfortunate and discriminatory."
