The United States has confirmed its unwavering stance against Pakistan ballistic missile program, reiterating its commitment to preventing the development and proliferation of lethal weapons. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “We have been clear and consistent about our concerns with Pakistan’s ballistic missile program for many years.” He emphasized that the longstanding policy of the U.S. is to deny support to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program. “We will continue to use our sanctions and other tools to ensure that our national security cannot be impacted, and that the U.S. financial system cannot be used by proliferators,” he added.
While the U.S. closely monitors Pakistan’s missile developments, it still considers Pakistan a long-term partner. Miller explained, “This action shows that there continue to be places where we have disagreement, and when we have disagreements, we won’t hesitate to act on those to protect America’s interests.” Despite the U.S. opposition to Pakistan’s missile program, it takes a different approach to India’s long-range missile initiatives. Both Pakistan and India are non-signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Islamabad’s ballistic missile program primarily serves as a deterrent against New Delhi, while India continues to upgrade its ballistic weapons arsenal as a counter to China. Recently, the State Department imposed sanctions on a Chinese research institute, a Chinese national, and three Chinese companies for allegedly assisting in the proliferation of dangerous weapons. Miller highlighted that the Chinese institute had allegedly helped Pakistan in acquiring equipment for its Shaheen 3 and Ababeel missile systems.
Previously, the U.S. State Department imposed sanctions on a Chinese research institute and several companies it said were involved in supplying Pakistan’s ballistic missile program. In October 2023, Washington targeted three China-based companies with sanctions for supplying missile-applicable items to Pakistan.
Miller stated that the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry had collaborated with Pakistan to procure equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems and potentially for larger systems.
The sanctions also affected China-based firms Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co, Universal Enterprise, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co, alongside Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment and a Chinese national, for knowingly transferring equipment under missile technology restrictions. “As today’s actions demonstrate, the United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern, wherever they occur,” Miller said.
Also Read: Pakistan Successfully Tests Shaheen-II Missile
In response, Pakistan criticized the U.S., asserting that it is widely known that “some countries, while claiming strict adherence to nonproliferation norms, have conveniently waived licensing requirements for advanced military technologies to their favored states.” Pakistan added that “such double standards and discriminatory practices undermine the credibility of global nonproliferation regimes, increase military asymmetries, and endanger international peace and security.”
