As the US applies further sanctions, a top White House official challenges Pakistan’s ballistic missile goals. Islamabad condemns the action as “discriminatory” and a threat to regional peace.
According to a senior White House official, Pakistan is working on long-range ballistic missiles that may one day enable it to attack targets outside of South Asia, including the US.
Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer made a startling admission on the former close US ally, saying that Islamabad’s actions generated “real questions” about the goals of its ballistic missile program.
Finer told the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace audience, “To be honest, we find it difficult to view Pakistan’s actions as anything other than a growing threat to the United States.”
“Pakistan has developed increasingly sophisticated missile technology, from long-range ballistic missile systems to equipment that would enable the testing of significantly larger rocket motors,” he stated.
Finer asserted that if those patterns persist, “Pakistan will have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the United States.”
His remarks followed Washington’s announcement of more restrictions on Pakistan’s ballistic missile development program, which included targeting the state-run defense agency in charge of the program.
“Discriminatory”
The latest US restrictions on Pakistan’s ballistic missile program have been criticized by the government as “discriminatory” and a threat to regional peace and security.
In a statement released Thursday, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry cautioned that the sanctions “have dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond”. The fact that previous sanctions “were based on mere doubts and suspicion without any evidence whatsoever” further raised questions about US claims that the targeted companies were involved in the proliferation of weapons.
The restrictions prevent Americans from conducting business with the blacklisted companies and freeze any US property they own.
According to the US State Department, the National Development Complex, located in Islamabad, is one such sanctioned organization that tried to purchase supplies for Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program. Affiliates International, Rockside Enterprise, and Akhtar and Sons Private Limited are the other sanctioned organizations.
According to analysts, the main goal of Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs is to offset India’s neighboring threats.
The penalties were deemed “short sighted, destabilizing, and divorced for South Asian regional strategic realities” by security expert Syed Muhammad Ali.
