The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on four Pakistani entities, including the state-owned flagship aerospace and defense agency National Development Complex (NDC), for allegedly contributing to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
Given the threat of continued proliferation of Pakistan’s long-range missile development, the United States has designated four entities for sanctions that target weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
Apart from NDC, Akhtar & Sons Pvt Ltd, Affiliates International and Rockside Enterprises are three other entities. All three are based in Karachi, while the NDC is based in Islamabad.
The NDC has worked to acquire items to advance Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program – including special vehicle chassis used as launch support equipment for ballistic missiles and missile-testing equipment.
The United States has assessed that the NDC is responsible for Pakistan’s development of ballistic missiles, including the Shaheen-series ballistic missiles, the State Department said.
Akhtar & Sons Pvt Ltd has worked for NDC to provide various equipment for Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile programme. Affiliates International has assisted in the procurement of missile-applicable items for the NDC and others in support of Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
Rockside Enterprises has worked for the NDC to supply various equipment to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, the State Department said.
All these entities “engaged in, or attempted to engage in, or attempted to engage in, activities or transactions that would materially contribute to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery. (weapons) manufactured, acquired, owned, developed, transported, transferred by Pakistan or including any attempt to use it,” a State Department spokesman. Matthew Miller said.
NDC – which is responsible for Pakistan’s ballistic missile program and works to procure items to advance Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program and Affiliates International, Akhtar & Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprises works to supply Pakistan with equipment and missile applications is ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile program, Miller said.
Why should you buy our membership?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be confused and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package