ISLAMABAD: Tensions between the United States and Pakistan have escalated as Washington moves to impose sanctions on multiple entities tied to Pakistan's long-range missile program. On Thursday, Vedant Patel, spokesperson for the US Department of State, conveyed Washington's intention to engage constructively with the Pakistani government, particularly on nuclear issues. This development follows the announcement of new sanctions targeting Pakistan's National Development Complex (NDC), the agency responsible for the country's ballistic missile program.
According to the State Department, the sanctions were executed under Executive Order 13382, which aims at proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. Alongside the NDC, three Pakistani companies—Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise, all based in Karachi—were also sanctioned. These measures freeze any US property linked to these entities and prohibit American businesses from engaging with them.
On Wednesday, Matthew Miller, another spokesperson for the State Department, stated, "The measures imposed on the NDC and three firms were underpinned by our longstanding concerns about Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program." He reiterated the US’s commitment to the global nonproliferation regime, adding, "Pakistan is an important partner, but our concerns must be addressed."
Pakistan's foreign ministry reacted strongly, labeling the sanctions as “unfortunate and biased.” The ministry expressed worry about the potential harm to regional stability, hinting at the military rivalry with nuclear-armed India. The ministry stated, "These actions aim to accentuate military asymmetries, threatening the stability of the region."
Patel remarked during the press briefing, “It has been our consistent policy to deny support for Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program.” Washington’s apprehensions were fueled by reports indicating the NDC's attempts to acquire missile-testing equipment and components for its long-range program, including the Shaheen family of missiles, which are identified as nuclear-capable by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
With Pakistan's estimated nuclear arsenal consisting of around 170 warheads, the depth of the brewing tensions was made clearer by US Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer's statements. He described Pakistan's missile developments as potentially capable of threatening targets well beyond South Asia, which he branded as “an developing threat” to the United States. Finer noted the advancements made by Pakistan, including sophisticated missile technology and larger rocket motor capabilities, stating, “If those trends continue, Pakistan will possess the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including within the United States.”
The recent revelations by Finer mark yet another indication of how the long-standing alliance between Washington and Islamabad has frayed since the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, which took place in August 2021. Previously, relations between the two nations involved deep cooperation across various fronts, but the emergence of new concerns and geopolitical dynamics has altered the ties significantly.
Finer articulated the seriousness of the situation, noting, “The number of nuclear-armed states with missiles capable of reaching the US homeland is very small, and they tend to be adversarial. It’s hard for us to see Pakistan’s actions as anything other than an emergent threat.”
Pakistan's nuclear program has been primarily based on countering India's military capabilities, sparking fears of nuclear escalation in South Asia. Historically, the countries have fought three major wars since 1947, with both nations maintaining significant military readiness. This precarious balance is now compounded by perceived threats from Pakistan’s advancing missile capabilities, potentially shifting the dynamics of their longstanding rivalry.
While the United States seeks to address nonproliferation through sanctions and diplomatic engagements, analysts underline the need for carefully managing the US-Pakistan relationship to avoid exacerbation of tensions. The sanctions reflect not only immediate concerns about missile proliferation but also longer-term implications for the stability of the region and the credibility of international nonproliferation efforts.
With growing uncertainties surrounding Pakistan's military technology and ambitions, observers from both nations are left wondering how this round of sanctions will influence their diplomatic ties moving forward. The stakes are high, and so is the expectation for both sides to navigate this complex web of security concerns wisely. The relationship is at a crossroads; only time will tell how these developments will impact the future of US-Pakistan interactions.
