IN the intricate dynamics of global geopolitics, one glaring reality persists—Western hypocrisy. Nowhere is this more evident than in the selective enforcement of missile non-proliferation norms. As the U.S. and its allies rush to arm Ukraine with advanced long-range missile systems under the pretext of “defence,” they simultaneously put pressure on countries like Pakistan with sanctions for developing legitimate, homegrown defensive capabilities. This contradiction not only exposes the West’s double standards but also underscores a deeper, more troubling reality: global conflicts are perpetuated not by the actions of the so-called “problem states,” but by the vested interests of those who claim to safeguard global stability.
The US’s recent decision to transfer ATACMS missiles to Ukraine marks a significant shift in its policy on military aid. These long-range missiles, capable of striking Russian-held territories, signal a marked escalation in the conflict. What prompted this shift? It wasn’t a sudden surge of concern for Ukraine’s sovereignty—it was a calculated move in response to Russia’s use of North Korean missiles, revealing the true nature of Western intervention: maintaining geopolitical leverage rather than any principled commitment to non-proliferation.
At the same time, Pakistan—a country facing existential security challenges—is vilified for developing its own missile systems, such as the Shaheen and Babur series, to maintain a credible deterrence in an unpredictable and hostile regional environment. Unlike Ukraine, which relies entirely on Western military aid, Pakistan has painstakingly developed an indigenous missile program. Yet, the West views Pakistan’s purely defensive posture with suspicion and imposes sanctions, while ignoring the far-reaching implications of arming Ukraine.
The US has long used arms control regimes as a political tool, selectively enforcing restrictions depending on its own geopolitical calculus. Pakistan, subjected to ongoing restrictions and sanctions under the guise of “regional stability,” finds itself unjustly penalized. Meanwhile, the same standards are conveniently ignored when the West supplies India with missile technologies or arms Ukraine in a conflict that risks spiraling into a broader war.
Unlike Ukraine or India, both of which are dependent on foreign military supplies, Pakistan has chosen the path of self-reliance. Its indigenous missile program represents a crucial aspect of its strategic independence, ensuring that national security is not contingent on the whims of external powers or shifting geopolitical tides. This makes Pakistan a unique case—a country that refuses to rely on foreign defense technologies, even in the face of immense external pressures.
The hypocrisy in Western policy is undeniable. While Ukraine is supplied with weapons that escalate its conflict with a nuclear-armed Russia, Pakistan is castigated for developing defensive capabilities essential to its survival. This selective application of non-proliferation norms reveals the true motivations of Western powers: the prioritization of strategic interests over genuine efforts to maintain global peace.
The West’s inconsistent policies highlight a dangerous trend that threatens global stability. For Pakistan, this reaffirms the necessity of maintaining strategic independence and developing indigenous defence capabilities free from external dependencies. It is imperative that Pakistan continues to safeguard its security interests, despite the West’s misplaced sanctions and hypocritical policies.
—The writer is an Islamabad-based independent researcher and policy analyst.
