In response to media queries regarding the US decision to impose sanctions against commercial entities on allegations of links with Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: “Such listings of commercial entities have taken place in the past as well on allegations of links to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme without sharing any evidence whatsoever.”

She further said in the statement that while Pakistan is not aware of the specifics of the latest US measures, in the past, Islamabad has come across many instances where listings have been made on mere suspicion or even when the involved items were not on any control lists, but were deemed sensitive under catch-all provisions.

“We have pointed out many times that such items have legitimate civil commercial uses. It is, therefore, important to avoid arbitrary application of export controls. There is a need for discussions between parties concerned for an objective mechanism to ensure access to technology in pursuit of socio-economic development,” the statement said.

Pakistan has always been ready to discuss end-use and end-user verification mechanisms so that legitimate commercial users are not hurt by the discriminatory application of export controls. it added.

The FO further asserts that Pakistan rejects political use of export controls. “It is a reality that the same jurisdictions, which claim to exercise strict non-proliferation controls, have waived off licensing requirements for advanced military technologies for some countries. This is leading to arms build up; accentuating regional asymmetries, and undermining the objectives of non-proliferation and of regional and global peace and security.”

It should be noted that the United States has announced sanctions against three Chinese companies and one from Belarus for their alleged cooperation in the production and delivery of Pakistan’s missile program.

According to the BBC, in a statement issued by the spokesman of the US State Department, Matthew Miller, it is said that the United States is designating four companies that were involved in weapons of mass destruction and their delivery.

The United States has expressed its determination in the statement that it is trying to strengthen the system of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons at the global level, for which it is going to take action against these procurement networks. According to the statement, three of these companies are located in China and one in Belarus, and they have allegedly provided assistance to Pakistan in the production of ballistic missiles including long-range missiles.

Earlier in October 2023, the US had imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies for supplying parts and equipment for Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.