Pakistan accuses US of double standards in sanctioning missile program

Pakistan on Saturday criticized the U.S. for what it called “biased and politically-motivated” sanctions related to its missile program.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, stated that the U.S. actions reflect double standards and are based on mere suspicion rather than concrete evidence.

Baloch highlighted past sanctions were similarly broad and involved items not specifically listed under export controls, yet were deemed sensitive under vague provisions.

She noted that some countries while professing adherence to nonproliferation norms, have waived licensing requirements for advanced military technologies for favored states.

Such practices, she argued, undermine global nonproliferation efforts, exacerbate military imbalances, and threaten international security.

On Thursday, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Chinese suppliers and a Pakistani entity for their alleged role in Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.

The U.S. Department of State accused five entities and one individual of transferring missile technology and equipment in violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime.

This move follows similar sanctions imposed in April, which targeted companies from Belarus and China for their involvement in Pakistan’s long-range missile program.