ISLAMABAD

Pakistan on Thursday strongly criticized recent US sanctions on commercial entities linked to its ballistic missile program, asserting that its strategic program is fully developed within the country.

Responding to a question from Anadolu, Foreign Ministry spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan said during a news conference in Islamabad that Pakistan’s strategic program is entirely indigenized and aligned with international and national legal obligations.

"In the past, similar instances of arrest of individuals or denial of technology have taken place without any evidence whatsoever. We believe such actions are detrimental to the credibility of global non-proliferation efforts and obstruct the legitimate acquisition of technology for socio-economic development," Khan said.

Pakistan has previously dismissed US accusations regarding its missile program, warning that Washington’s selective approach poses risks to strategic stability in the region and beyond.

According to media reports, the US Bureau of Industry and Security has added more than a dozen companies to its entity list for involvement in "unsafeguarded" nuclear activities. Another seven firms were targeted for alleged links to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.

The latest sanctions follow updates to the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR), affecting 70 entities from China, Pakistan, Iran, South Africa and the UAE, according to the Express Tribune daily on Tuesday.

In December, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif criticized the US after sanctions were placed on four entities, including the National Development Complex (NDC), a defense and aerospace body under the Defense Ministry.

Sharif said that Pakistan has absolutely no intention to have an aggressive nuclear system, It is 100% for Pakistan’s defense, nothing else.

In September, the US also sanctioned Chinese suppliers and a Pakistani entity over alleged involvement in Pakistan’s missile program.

These measures follow earlier US action in April 2024, when four firms from Belarus and China were blacklisted for supplying missile-related items to Pakistan’s long-range missile program.

Pakistan reaffirms support for upcoming Palestine conference

Pakistan on Thursday reiterated full backing for the upcoming high-level international conference on the peaceful resolution of the Palestine issue and implementation of the two-state solution. The event is set to take place in June in New York.

"We sincerely hope that the June Conference will rise to the occasion and restore hope in peace and justice through meaningful action," Khan said, adding: "We believe that in the lead-up to the Conference: The ceasefire must be fully implemented; the blockade on Gaza must be lifted; humanitarian access must be guaranteed."