US imposes sanctions on Pakistan long range ballistic missile program, Islamabad enraged – us imposes sanctions on Pakistan long range ballistic missile program Islamabad enraged NTC

The US on Wednesday announced new sanctions related to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, including sanctions on the government defense agency that oversees the program. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement that these sanctions were imposed under an executive order that ‘targets the promotion of destructive weapons and their means of launch.’

Under the sanctions, any US assets of these entities will be frozen and US citizens are barred from doing business with them.

Pakistan also gave statement

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the US action was “unfortunate and biased” and would harm regional stability.

Also read: ‘Misleading’ reporting in foreign media on Pakistan’s proposal in UN, Ministry of External Affairs gave this reply

According to a State Department fact sheet, the Islamabad-based National Development Complex (NDC) had tried to acquire material for Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program and missile testing equipment. It said the NDC “is responsible for the development of Pakistan’s ballistic missiles,” including the Shaheen family of missiles.

Let us tell you that Pakistan conducted its first nuclear test in 1998. It became the seventh country in the world to do so. According to the report, Pakistan has about 170 nuclear warheads. Islamabad has refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which is the mainstay of the international system to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

Other entities the US has imposed sanctions on include Affiliates International, Akhtar & Sons Pvt Ltd and Rockside Enterprises, which are based in Karachi. These companies worked closely with NDC. Miller said, “The United States will continue to take action against proliferation and related supply activities.”