Pakistan firmly rejected US sanctions on its technology companies on Saturday. The US accused these firms of links to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme. Pakistan called the move unfair, baseless, and politically motivated.
“Pakistan considers this action biased and politically motivated,” said Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She claimed that past US listings of companies were based on suspicion and involved non-sensitive items.
The US announced sanctions on five companies and one individual. These entities allegedly helped Pakistan’s missile systems, Shaheen-3 and Ababeel. Matthew Miller, the US Department of State spokesperson, said Chinese firms worked with Pakistan to test rocket motors for these systems.
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Baloch slammed the US for applying “double standards” in nonproliferation. She warned that such practices hurt global peace and security.
Earlier in October 2023, the US also sanctioned Chinese companies for supplying missile-related items to Pakistan. This time, the sanctions affected Chinese firms like Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co. and Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment.
China opposed the US sanctions. Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said China would “firmly protect” its companies’ rights. He called the sanctions illegal under international law.
Pakistan warned that politically motivated sanctions could strain diplomatic ties and increase instability.
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