US-Pakistan Relations Unaffected by Sanctions on Entities Linked to Ballistic Missile Program
The US Department of State has refuted claims of a rift with Pakistan following the imposition of sanctions on four commercial entities believed to be involved in Pakistan’s ballistic missile program. During a press briefing, the department’s principal deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel, stated that Pakistan remains a crucial partner in the region.
Patel emphasized the ongoing cooperation between the US and Pakistan in security and trade, underscoring the strength of their relationship. He dismissed any suggestions of tension between the two countries.
Last week, the US State Department sanctioned three Chinese and one Belarusian entity for allegedly supplying materials to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program. In response, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) condemned the “political use” of export controls and questioned the lack of evidence provided to substantiate the allegations.
FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch highlighted Pakistan’s unawareness of the specifics of the sanctions and expressed concern over the arbitrary application of export controls. She emphasized the legitimate commercial and civil uses of the sanctioned items.
Pakistan has consistently called for objective mechanisms and dialogue between relevant parties to ensure access to technology for socio-economic development. The US-Pakistan partnership continues to be marked by cooperation and dialogue, despite the recent sanctions.
