In reaction to Pakistan’s ballistic missile development, the US recently placed further sanctions on the country, focusing on organizations that spread missile technology. The U.S. Department of State announced this action in an effort to reduce the continuous threat posed by Pakistan’s long-range missile development operations.
A key player in Pakistan’s ballistic missile development is the state-owned National Development Complex (NDC), which has been active in purchasing parts for long-range missile systems like the SHAHEEN series, which may be able to carry nuclear warheads.
The sanctions also target three private companies based in Karachi: Rockside Enterprise, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Affiliates International, for their contributions to the missile program’s equipment supply.
Executive Order 13382, which targets those who proliferate weapons of mass destruction and the means by which they are delivered, is the legal basis for the sanctions. This order forbids American people and companies from doing business with the sanctioned entities and freezes any assets they control that are located in the United States.
U.S. Position: The government of the United States has reaffirmed its determination to stop proliferation activities that present serious threats. Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the State Department, stressed that these steps are a component of a larger plan to address worries about WMDs.
The imposition of these restrictions coincides with persistent worries over Pakistan’s alleged 170-warhead nuclear arsenal. Pakistan remains outside the Non-Proliferation Treaty, further complicating international efforts to manage nuclear proliferation in South Asia. The U.S. has previously targeted various foreign entities linked to Pakistan’s missile program, including sanctions against Chinese firms accused of providing missile-related technologies.
The United States’ sanctions against Pakistan, which specifically target the National Development Complex (NDC) and three commercial companies involved in its ballistic missile program, are probably going to have a big impact on the country’s economy. The possible effects are as follows:
Access to Global Markets: The sanctions might make it more difficult for Pakistan to trade with American businesses and gain access to global financial markets. This can deter foreign investment and slow economic expansion, especially in industries connected to the sanctioned organizations.
Impact on Defense Spending: Pakistan’s defense capabilities, particularly its missile development programs, are greatly aided by the NDC. Limitations imposed on this organization may result in higher expenses for international procurement or a dependence on less sophisticated technologies, maybe
Foreign Aid & Assistance: In the past, economic and military assistance has decreased as a result of U.S. sanctions. Pakistan would have trouble getting financial assistance from foreign organizations like the World Bank or IMF, whose policies frequently coincide with those of the United States, as a result of these new sanctions.
Increased Isolation: Pakistan may become even more economically isolated as a result of the sanctions, which would make it more challenging for the nation to establish advantageous trading alliances. This is especially troubling because Pakistan has already been having economic problems; estimates suggest that its fiscal imbalance is approximately 5.5% of its GDP.
Increased tensions between Pakistan and its neighbors, especially India, could result from the sanctions, which are perceived as an attempt to shift the strategic balance in South Asia. As Pakistan looks to offset perceived threats, this could lead to more military spending.
Since many people in Pakistan believe that the penalties are unfair and discriminatory, they are likely to exacerbate anti-American sentiment in the country. Politics at home and popular sentiment toward foreign policy choices may be impacted by this.
These new penalties, which show the U.S.’s continued concern over the spread of weapons worldwide and its effects on regional security dynamics, have not yet received a response from the Pakistani embassy in Washington.
According to research published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Pakistan now has about 170 warheads in its nuclear arsenal. The
