US sanctions 4 entities aiding Pakistan's ballistic missile program

US sanctions 4 entities aiding Pakistan's ballistic missile program

On December 18, 2024, the United States imposed sanctions on four Pakistani

 entities linked to the country's ballistic missile program. The targeted entities include the National Development Complex (NDC) and three Karachi-based firms: Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise. 

The NDC, a state-owned defense agency based in Islamabad, is responsible for developing Pakistan's ballistic missiles, notably the nuclear-capable Shaheen series. The U.S. Department of State indicated that the NDC has been actively seeking components and testing equipment to advance Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile capabilities. 

The three private companies—Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise—are accused of collaborating with the NDC to procure equipment and missile-applicable items for Pakistan's ballistic missile program. 

These sanctions, enacted under Executive Order 13382, aim to curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. The measures freeze any U.S. assets belonging to the targeted entities and prohibit American individuals and businesses from engaging in transactions with them. 

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the U.S. commitment to countering proliferation activities, stating, "The United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern." 

As of now, the Pakistani embassy in Washington has not issued a response to these sanctions. 

This development follows a series of U.S. actions targeting entities associated with Pakistan's missile program. In September 2024, the U.S. sanctioned several Chinese suppliers for providing equipment to Pakistan's ballistic missile endeavors. 

Pakistan, which conducted its first nuclear weapons test in 1998, is estimated to possess about 170 nuclear warheads. The country has not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the principal international agreement aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. 

The U.S. has consistently expressed concerns over Pakistan's missile development activities, particularly those related to long-range systems capable of delivering nuclear warheads. These sanctions represent the latest effort by the U.S. to impede the advancement of Pakistan's ballistic missile capabilities and to address broader proliferation challenges in the region.

The impact of these sanctions on Pakistan's defense sector and its missile development programs remains to be seen. Historically, such measures have aimed to restrict access to critical technologies and components, thereby hindering progress in the targeted programs. The international community will be closely monitoring the situation to assess the effectiveness of these sanctions and their implications for regional security dynamics.