United States announced new sanctions on Wednesday targeting Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, including measures against the National Development Complex (NDC) and three affiliated firms. The sanctions, imposed under an executive order aimed at proliferators of weapons of mass destruction, freeze US assets of the entities and prevent American businesses from engaging with them.
The NDC, based in Islamabad, is responsible for the development of Pakistan’s ballistic missiles, including the Shaheen missile series, which is nuclear-capable. The US State Department stated that the NDC has sought to acquire components for its missile program and testing equipment. In addition to the NDC, the sanctions also affect Karachi-based firms Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise, which were involved in procuring materials for the missile program.
Pakistan, which became a nuclear power in 1998, has refused to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and is estimated to have around 170 nuclear warheads. The US government reiterated its commitment to countering the proliferation of nuclear weapons and related technologies.
The Pakistani embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment on the sanctions.
