THE United States has once again demonstrated its biased policy and attitude towards Pakistan by imposing additional sanctions over four entities linked to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme, alleging they were contributing to the proliferation or delivery of such weapons. In a statement, the US State Department claimed that the decision was taken in the light of the continuing proliferation threat of Pakistan’s long-range missile development. Reacting strongly to the US move, Pakistan Foreign Office described it as “biased,” warning that it could have “dangerous implications for the strategic stability of our region and beyond.”
The way the United States is frequently targeting different Pakistani and Chinese entities on allegations of their involvement in nuclear and missile proliferation clearly shows utter bias of the superpower against Pakistan, forcing analysts to conclude that Washington wants to undermine defence and security of the country. Foreign Office spokesperson has put things in right perspective by pointing out that the sanction imposed on the National Defence Complex (NDC) and three commercial entities are unfortunate and biased. Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia. The latest instalment of sanctions defies the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries. Such policies have dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond. The United States is extending multi-dimensional cooperation to neighbouring India including development of its missile programme on the premise of countering China. Defence analysts point out that the US and India are continuously expanding the scope of strategic cooperation, including on civilian and dual-use technologies and on co-development of next-generation technologies, mitigating the effects of the United States export-control policies which remain in place. There are unprecedented public-private partnerships in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced telecommunications, quantum computing and space technology. As against this, the US and some of its allies have been denying even admission of Pakistani students in their educational institutions to pursue simple subjects like physics. India’s military capabilities have direct relevance to Pakistan’s defence vision as New Delhi repeatedly carried out aggression not only against Pakistan but also other smaller states in different forms and manifestations. India has a proven history of expansionism and global ambitions, posting grave threats to countries of the region and beyond. Pakistan is a peace-loving country, which has been forced to pursue nuclear and missile programmes to strengthen its defence in the face of substantial threats to its sovereignty and survival. However, it believes in minimum credible deterrence and has no ambitious agenda like India, therefore, it is highly unfortunate to target its programme for sanctions. The US continues to send highly negative signals to the people of Pakistan, who want to expand the relationship with the United States but are fully committed to preserving their sovereignty and territorial integrity. In September this year, Washington targeted five entities and one individual with sanctions which were involved in the expansion of ballistic missiles and controlling missile equipment and technology to Pakistan. The US alleged that the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry had worked with Pakistan to procure equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems and potentially for larger systems. This pattern of allegations and sanctions was followed throughout against Pakistans nuclear programme including country-specific legislation but propaganda backed by discriminatory measures could not block development of the programme. It is quite obvious that nuclear deterrence will not be fully effective if there were no credible means of delivery with capacity to reach all parts of India and therefore, Pakistans quest to modernize its deterrence is understandable. Sanctions did not work in the past and are unlikely to serve any worthwhile purpose and instead the United States should reciprocate Pakistan’s desire to have a more comprehensive and mutually beneficial engagement.
