The writer is an economist, anchor, geo-political analyst
and the President of All Pakistan Private Schools’ Federation
president@Pakistanprivateschools.com
Verily, the esteemed nation of Pakistan hath denounced the novel sanctions imposed by the United States of America upon its ballistic missile programme, deeming them “discriminatory” in nature and a peril to the tranquillity and security of the entire region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan has issued a statement, wherein it is averred that the aforementioned sanctions pose a threat to the strategic stability, not only of the region but also of the world at large. Pakistan has consistently maintained that its missile programme serveth a defensive purpose, designed to safeguard its territorial integrity against perceived threats, particularly those emanating from its neighbour, India. Moreover, Pakistan hath asserted that its programme doth not contribute to the proliferation of dangerous technologies and that it remaineth committed to regional stability and global peace. Pakistan has rejected the claims of non-compliance levelled by the United States, describing the sanctions as unjustified and discriminatory. The government of Pakistan has also contended that the entities targeted by the U.S. sanctions operate within the country’s legal frameworks and that their actions do not violate international norms. Pakistan warned that the sanctions had dangerous implications for the strategic stability of our region and beyond. Pakistan has made it clear that the country’s missile program is defensive in nature, designed to safeguard its territorial integrity against perceived threats, particularly from neighbouring India, and asserted that the program does not contribute to the proliferation of dangerous technologies and that Pakistan is committed to regional stability and global peace. Any development in missile technology is meant to address security challenges and not to escalate tensions. From Islamabad’s perspective, the missile program reflects Pakistan’s right to self-defence, particularly in the context of ongoing regional challenges. The U.S. imposition of sanctions undermines Pakistan’s sovereignty and unnecessarily escalates military tensions. This is the first instance in recent history where the U.S. has openly sanctioned a state-owned military conglomerate. Furthermore, it indicates an alarming change in the discourse surrounding Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities. Pakistan accused the US of double standards for waiving licensing requirements for advanced military technology to other countries. The latest US sanctions came months after similar measures were slapped on other foreign entities, including a Chinese research institute after the US State Department accused them of working for the National Development Complex, which it says was involved in the development and production of Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missiles. It is pertinent to note that the erstwhile amicable relations between Pakistan and the United States of America have been beset by periods of tumult and tranquillity. Notwithstanding their storied history of cooperation, the imposition of unilateral sanctions shall inevitably serve to erode the mutual trust that has hitherto existed between the two nations. In times past, Pakistan has rendered invaluable assistance to the United States in its quest to vanquish the forces of terror and has been duly recognized as a major non-NATO ally in acknowledgement of its steadfast commitment to this endeavour. However, the recent measures undertaken by the United States shall, in all likelihood, serve to impel Pakistan further into the embrace of the People’s Republic of China, with whom it enjoys a robust strategic partnership. The vociferous rhetoric surrounding Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme may be construed as an endeavour to exert pressure upon Pakistan, potentially at the behest of India.
As the shadows of American sanctions descend upon Pakistan, a perilous geopolitical tempest brews, threatening to unleash a maelstrom of regional turmoil.
The newly announced restrictions, promulgated on the cusp of Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, have been interpreted by many in Pakistan as a portentous shift in the trajectory of bilateral relations, which may serve to redirect attention towards Pakistan’s missile initiatives.Furthermore, the incoming administration in Washington may intensify its scrutiny of Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile programme, thereby augmenting the sanctions imposed by the outgoing President, Joe Biden. The administration of Donald Trump appears poised to adopt a more aggressive stance vis-à-vis Pakistan-United States military cooperation, particularly in light of its key advisers’ advocacy for enhanced military collaboration with India. Pakistan has perennially argued that, notwithstanding India’s prodigious missile and nuclear weapons buildup, the United States has adopted a more lenient approach towards India. Pakistan perceives this disparity in treatment as indicative of the fact that Washington’s actions are motivated by political considerations, rather than a genuine concern for non-proliferation or global security. In the venerable annals of history, the year 1998 marked a pivotal juncture, wherein Pakistan forthwith declared its ascendancy as a nuclear power, consequent to the successful execution of subterranean nuclear experiments. This bold endeavour was undertaken in riposte to the precipitating actions of its longstanding adversary and neighbouring entity, India. Thenceforth, a perpetual cycle of one-upmanship ensued, with both nations periodically test-firing an array of missiles, encompassing short, medium, and long-range variants. The United States, beholding this burgeoning nuclear capability with trepidation, expressed grave concerns that Islamabad’s burgeoning long-range ballistic missile programme could potentially enable the targeting of regions extending beyond the geographical confines of South Asia. In light of these unfolding developments, Washington reiterated its long-standing policy of withholding support for Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile endeavours. Islamabad, in response to these unforeseen sanctions, adopted a measured yet resolute stance, characterising the U.S.-imposed sanctions levied upon its national conglomerate and three commercial entities as unfortunate and biased. Such measures served only to contravene efforts directed towards the attainment of peace and security, exacerbating, in the process, military asymmetries within the region. This pronounced stance underscored Islamabad’s unwavering commitment to the preservation of its sovereignty and the safeguarding of its national interests. The imposition of sanctions upon Pakistan by the United States has precipitated considerable consternation amongst Pakistan’s leadership, who construe this action as emblematic of a duplicitous standard in the foreign policy of the United States. This sentiment hath been further exacerbated by the burgeoning defence partnership between Washington and India, which encompasses the provision of advanced missile systems and high-end technology transfers, thereby substantially augmenting India’s military capabilities. These developments are perceived as creating a strategic imbalance within the South Asian region, wherein the equipoise of power has been disrupted. Notwithstanding these concerns, the United States has persisted in engaging with India through nuclear cooperation agreements, including the landmark U.S.-India civil nuclear accord signed in the year 2008. For Pakistan, the continuation of these strategic partnerships raises questions regarding the consistency of U.S. non-proliferation policy. In light of these circumstances, Pakistan has developed a peaceful program of increasingly sophisticated missile technology, encompassing long-range ballistic missile systems and equipment, which shall possess the capability to strike targets well beyond the confines of South Asia, thus ensuring its own security and defence. It appears that the United States of America is woefully ignorant of the intricacies and strategic realities that pervade the realm of South Asia. The burgeoning partnership between India and the United States has, in fact, served to exacerbate the deep-seated anxieties of Pakistan, thus casting a pall of uncertainty over the region. Recent developments in India’s missile capabilities, including the advent of the MIRV-capability Agni-V, the hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), and the K4 submarine launch ballistic missile have far-reaching implications for regional stability, which the United States has chosen to disregard. Instead, the United States has opted to fortify its defence and security alliance with India, as evidenced by agreements such as the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET), collaborative endeavours in cybersecurity, chip manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technology, and space exploration, amongst other spheres. The relentless enhancement of India’s missile capabilities and military apparatus has already begun to destabilize the South Asian region, thereby rendering it increasingly volatile. This precarious state of affairs necessitates a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics at play, lest the region teeter on the precipice of chaos.
The imposition of sanctions bespeaks a lamentable dearth of understanding regarding Pakistan’s paramount strategic imperatives. By targeting specific entities within Pakistan’s missile development framework, one overlooks the nation’s intrinsic capabilities, which have been cultivated through a self-sustaining programme, impervious to external influences and coercion. Moreover, such measures demonstrate a myopic disregard for the broader regional security dynamics and the provocations that inform Pakistan’s deterrence posture. The sanctions pose a considerable risk, insofar as they may serve to alienate Islamabad, without achieving their intended objectives. This underscores the imperative need for more balanced and nuanced policies, which acknowledge the complexities inherent in South Asia’s geopolitical landscape. The situation serves as a poignant reminder of the shifting geopolitical dynamics at play, whilst also raising critical questions regarding regional security frameworks, as we move forward. It is incumbent upon policymakers to adopt a more astute and multifaceted approach, one that takes into account the intricacies of Pakistan’s strategic imperatives and the broader regional security paradigm. It has been vociferously proclaimed by Pakistan that the imposition of sanctions by the United States shall, in all likelihood, serve to exacerbate, rather than mitigate, the endemic instability that has long plagued the region. The defence capabilities of Pakistan, including its missile programme, are deemed an indispensable element of the nation’s security apparatus, serving not only as a deterrent against potential acts of aggression but also as a means of redressing the egregious military asymmetry that has long existed in the region, particularly in light of India’s burgeoning conventional and nuclear capabilities. Pakistan has repeatedly entreated the United States to engage in dialogue and transparency with regard to its missile programme, emphasizing that a collaborative approach, rather than the imposition of punitive measures, is the most efficacious means of ensuring long-term stability in South Asia. The sanctions imposed by the United States, Pakistan contends, are unfairly directed towards private entities and organizations, based upon unsubstantiated claims, thereby constituting a form of discrimination that serveth to undermine trust between the nations involved and impede the possibility of constructive dialogue. Furthermore, Pakistan asserted that the sanctions are not grounded in objective evidence or a fair assessment of its security needs, but rather reflect a political agenda aimed at influencing the regional balance of power, potentially at the expense of strategic stability. As the shadows of American sanctions descend upon Pakistan, a perilous geopolitical tempest brews, threatening to unleash a maelstrom of regional turmoil. The actions of the United States have raised a broader question regarding the future of regional stability and whether Washington remains committed to fostering peace in South Asia.