Islamabad : The Foreign Office of Pakistan strongly criticized the United States’ decision to impose sanctions on the National Development Complex (NDC) and three private commercial entities, terming the move as unfortunate and biased. In a firm response, Pakistan emphasized that its strategic capabilities are solely aimed at safeguarding sovereignty and promoting peace and stability in South Asia, while warning of the detrimental implications such actions have on regional security and strategic balance.
According to the statement issued by the foreign office,” Pakistan considers the US decision to impose sanctions on NDC and three commercial entities as unfortunate and biased. Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia. The latest installment of sanctions defies the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries. Such policies have dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond.”
The Foreign Office issued its response following the United States’ decision to impose sanctions on Pakistan’s National Development Complex (NDC), as well as three entities: Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13382.
The foreign office added “Pakistan’s strategic programme is a sacred trust bestowed by 240 million people upon its leadership. The sanctity of this trust, held in the highest esteem across the entire political spectrum, cannot be compromised.”
We also regret the imposition of sanctions on private commercial entities. Similar listings of commercial entities in the past were based on mere doubts and suspicion without any evidence whatsoever. While claiming strict adherence to non-proliferation norms, licensing requirement for advanced military technology to other countries have been waived off in the past.
Such double standards and discriminatory practices not only undermine the credibility of non-proliferation regimes but also endanger regional and international peace and security, the foreign office statement said.
