Pakistan's Foreign Office Responds to US Sanctions on Missile Program

The United States has imposed sanctions on commercial establishments allegedly involved in Pakistan's ballistic missile program, sparking a response from the Foreign Office spokesperson. The spokesperson highlighted that similar lists of establishments had been disclosed previously as evidence of such allegations. While the accused companies were not on a control list, their activities were deemed sensitive. The US has banned four foreign companies for allegedly supplying equipment to Pakistan's missile program.

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra emphasized that the items in question have legitimate civilian uses and stressed the importance of avoiding arbitrary application of export controls. She called for a deliberate mechanism to prevent arbitrary bans and promote socio-economic development. Pakistan has expressed willingness to engage in discussions regarding endowment and end-user verification mechanisms to ensure that legitimate commercial users are not adversely affected.

In conclusion, the Foreign Office spokesperson reiterated Pakistan's commitment to fostering a purposeful mechanism that balances security concerns with the promotion of legitimate commercial activities.