White House officials revealed that Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities. These advancements could enable strikes beyond South Asia, including the US. During his Carnegie Endowment speech, Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer voiced deep concerns about Pakistan’s intentions.
Finer stated, “It’s hard to view Pakistan’s actions as anything but a threat to the US.” This comment came right after the US announced new sanctions on Pakistan’s missile program.
The State Department explained that these sanctions respond to Pakistan’s missile development threat. They target four entities involved in advancing these capabilities under Executive Order 13382. This order focuses on curbing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
A senior White House official said nuclear-armed Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets well beyond South Asia, making it an ‘emerging threat’ to the United States https://t.co/GfjaijvTQX
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 20, 2024The affected entities include Pakistan’s National Development Complex and three suppliers: Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons, and Rockside Enterprise. These organizations have reportedly supplied essential equipment for Pakistan’s missile program.
In response, Islamabad criticized the US actions as “biased.” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch highlighted the “dangerous implications” these sanctions could have on regional stability. Baloch stressed that Pakistan’s strategic efforts aim to protect its sovereignty and promote South Asian peace.
Massive setback for Pakistan as the country's ballistic missile programme has been hit with US sanctions over proliferation activities
Pakistan has nuclear capable missiles which can reach India and beyond@saroyahem brings you this report pic.twitter.com/jenMZdvNwP
— WION (@WIONews) December 19, 2024The Foreign Office also emphasized the nation’s commitment to its strategic program, which Pakistan’s 240 million people deeply respect.
Read: U.S. Imposes Additional Sanctions on Entities Linked to Pakistan’s Ballistic Missile Program
This year, the US also sanctioned five entities and an individual linked to Pakistan’s missile expansion. In October 2023, it sanctioned three Chinese companies for providing missile-related items to Pakistan. These actions illustrate the ongoing global concerns over missile proliferation.
Pakistan has consistently denounced these US sanctions as “unfair” and “politically motivated.” This dispute highlights the intense geopolitical tensions affecting missile proliferation and regional security.
