US Bias Sanctions over Pakistani Missile Programme

By Zaheerul Hassan
United States alleged Pakistan for continuing proliferation of long-range missile development, and imposed sanctions on Pakistanii enterprisers through an Executive Order (E.O.) 13382. The sanctions would freeze any U.S. property belonging to the targeted entities and bars Americans from doing business with them. The banned enterprisers are:
• Islamabad based, The National Development Complex (NDC), worked to acquire items in furtherance of Pakistan’s long range ballistic missile program – including special vehicle chassis intended to be used as launch support equipment for ballistic missiles and missile testing equipment. The United States assesses NDC is responsible for Pakistan’s development of ballistic missiles, including the SHAHEEN-series ballistic missiles.
• Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, located in Karachi, worked for NDC to supply a range of equipment to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program.
• Affiliates International, Karachi based company facilitated procurements of missile-applicable items for NDC and others in support of Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
Pakistan rejected US allegations, in this connection, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zehra Baloch said that the U.S. action was “unfortunate and biased” and would harm regional stability by “aiming to accentuate military asymmetries,” an apparent reference to the country’s rivalry with nuclear-armed India.
Earlier, in sixties, Washington on the pretax of Indo–Pak 1965 war, suspended arms supply. Again from seventies onward, at different occasions USA objected Pakistan nuclear programmes, and banned military and economic aid. However, current, American sanctions on Pakistani enterprises could be linked to Washington potential moves of creating Greater Israel and later, in collaboration with Tel Aviv and India, ultimately, hitting firstly Iran and then Pakistan and China. The reasons of targeting the stated allies are, difficult for US to digest emerging strategic relationship between Russia-Pakistan, nuclear Iran and speedy development on CPEC projects.
Considered opinion here is, US incoming and outgoing administration must understand that Pakistani political and military brass will never accept sanctions or any kind of pressure at the cost of its nuclear programme and country’s security. Pakistan is a declared Islamic Nuclear Power and her peaceful programme is defensive in nature and focusing to neutralize India since conventional warfare stamina of New Delhi is more than Islamabad. It is also mentionable here that Pakistan has second strike nuclear capability is much more reliable than India. She also has the shortage range nuclear arsenals to target aggressive forces of her rivals.
Pakistan determined to complete its strategic Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Programmes since the same is very much vital due to hegemonic Indian design, exterior security treat and maintain regional balance of power with adversary. Basically, US double standards are very much alarming, one sided and condemnable; as she never raised any objection against India and Israel, for slaughtering Kashmiris, Palestinian genocide in Gaza and their nuclear programs. Contrary to it, US had never missed any chance to put embargo on Iran and Pakistan in stopping their nuclear programmes. Despite intense pressure, Pakistan completed her programme but Iran failed because she had signed IAEA pact over nuclear programme.
Washington must understand that Pakistan is not her client state and has very well trained armed forces, able to meet any challenge successfully. Likewise, would never compromise over CPEC Projects too.
Unfortunately, some Pakistani overseas enjoying American nationality, welcomed the sanctions against Pakistani enterprisers. Actually, they are on the mission of pleasing their American masters and playing foreign agencies agenda against a sole Islamic nuclear power. Patriotic Pakistanis all over the globe, including present PTI local setup, too doomed the unilateral American current sanctions.
Concluding, I would say that US must also remember that Pakistani establishment with the help of nation, fighting war against terrorism, and has the capacity to repulse any type of interior or exterior aggression. At the same time, Pakistan foreign office in the light of national interest should redefine relationship with USA. Government should also take steps to build, develop, design and manufacture sensitive equipment indigenously instead depending on country like USA
The writer can be approach through zameer36@gmail.com