Islamabad, Dec 19: The United States announced on Wednesday the imposition of new sanctions related to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, targeting the state-owned defense agency overseeing it.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that sanctions were imposed on the National Development Complex (NDC) and three associated firms under an executive order aimed at curbing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. These sanctions freeze any U.S.-based assets of the targeted entities and prohibit Americans from conducting business with them.
In response, Pakistan’s foreign ministry called the sanctions “unfortunate and biased,” asserting they would undermine regional stability by increasing military imbalances, referencing its rivalry with nuclear-armed India.
According to a State Department factsheet, the Islamabad-based NDC has been involved in procuring components for Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program and testing equipment. The NDC is credited with developing Pakistan’s Shaheen family of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, as noted by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
Pakistan, which became the seventh nuclear power after conducting its first nuclear test in 1998, is estimated to possess around 170 nuclear warheads. The country has declined to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty, a key international agreement aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.
The sanctions also target three Karachi-based entities—Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise—for collaborating with the NDC in procuring equipment.
Miller emphasized that the U.S. would continue addressing proliferation and related procurement activities.
