Sat Sep 14 14:16:00 UTC 2024: ## Pakistan Condemns US Sanctions on Tech Companies, Calls Them Unfair and Politically Motivated

**Islamabad, Pakistan** – Pakistan on Saturday vehemently rejected unilateral US sanctions imposed on technology companies allegedly linked to the country’s ballistic missile program, calling them “unfair, unfounded, and uncalled-for.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, issued a statement asserting that Pakistan considers these sanctions “biased and politically-motivated.”

The US Department of State, on September 13th, announced sanctions against five entities and one individual for their alleged involvement in expanding Pakistan’s ballistic missile capabilities. The sanctions targeted companies involved in procuring equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems. Notably, this is not the first time the US has sanctioned companies for allegedly supplying missile-related technology to Pakistan. In October 2023, Washington imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies for similar activities.

Pakistan argues that these sanctions are based on mere suspicion and involve items not listed under any export control regime. The country further criticizes the US for double standards, claiming that Washington has waived licensing requirements for advanced military technologies to its favored states while claiming strict adherence to nonproliferation norms.

Spokesperson Baloch emphasized that such practices undermine the credibility of global nonproliferation regimes, exacerbate military asymmetries, and pose a threat to international peace and security.

China, whose companies are directly impacted by the sanctions, has also voiced its disapproval. Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu stated that China “firmly opposes unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council.”

The US, however, maintains its commitment to combating proliferation activities and insists that it will continue to take action against such activities worldwide.

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