Pakistan Rejects US Sanctions Against Commercial Entities, Citing Lack of Evidence

Islamabad, The Foreign Office of Pakistan expressed strong disapproval of the United States’ decision to impose sanctions on commercial entities over alleged links to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program. The Foreign Office’s response follows US allegations against these entities, which reportedly lack substantial evidence.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch commented on the US sanctions, stating that such listings have previously occurred without sharing any proof. She pointed out that these measures are often based on mere suspicion or when involved items, not listed on control lists, are deemed sensitive under catch-all provisions.

Baloch criticized the political use of export controls and highlighted a broader issue, noting that certain jurisdictions claiming strict non-proliferation controls have waived licensing requirements for advanced military technologies for some countries. This practice leads to arms buildup, increases regional asymmetries, and undermines the goals of non-proliferation, regional peace, and global security.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office reiterated its willingness to discuss end-use and end-user verification mechanisms to ensure that legitimate commercial users are not unfairly impacted by arbitrary export controls. Baloch emphasized the need to avoid discriminatory approaches and double standards, as these undermine the credibility of non-proliferation regimes and the broader objectives of regional and global peace.

In light of the US sanctions, Pakistan urged for dialogue between concerned parties to establish a more objective framework, avoiding erroneous sanctions that could negatively affect technology use for socio-economic development.