Dr. Naveed Elahi

Recently the US imposed sanctions against three Chinese companies and a Belarus-based firm for supplying missile-applicable items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme. The US Department of State has designated four entities pursuant to Section 1(a)(ii) of Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.  It claims that these entities have supplied missile‐applicable items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile program.

i. Belarus-based Minsk Wheel Tractor Planthas worked to supply special vehicle chassis to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program. Such chassis are used as launch support equipment for ballistic missiles by Pakistan’s National Development Complex (NDC), which is responsible for the development of Missile Technology Control Regime Category (MTCR) I ballistic missiles.

iI. People’s Republic of China (PRC)-based Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited, has supplied missile-related equipment, including a filament winding machine, to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program that we assess was destined for NDC. Filament winding machines can be used to produce rocket motor cases.

iii. PRC-based Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd has supplied missile-related equipment to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, including stir welding equipment (which the United States assesses can be used to manufacture propellant tanks used in space launch vehicles), and a linear accelerator system (which the United States assesses can be used in the inspection of solid rocket motors). Tianjin Creative’s procurements were likely destined for Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), which develops and produces Pakistan’s MTCR Category I ballistic missiles.

iv. PRC-based Granpect Company Limited has worked with Pakistan’s SUPARCO to supply equipment for testing of large diameter rocket motors. In addition, Granpect Co. Ltd. also worked to supply equipment for testing large diameter rocket motors to Pakistan’s NDC.

Pakistan termed it preposterous allegations sans any evidence. In response to media queries regarding the US decision to impose sanctions against commercial entities on allegations of links with Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, made the following statement:

“Such listings of commercial entities have taken place in the past as well on allegations of links to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme without sharing any evidence whatsoever.

While we are not aware of the specifics of the latest measures by the United States, in the past we have come across many instances where listings have been made on mere suspicion or even when the involved items were not on any control lists but were deemed sensitive under catch-all provisions.

We have pointed out many times that such items have legitimate civil commercial uses. It is, therefore, important to avoid arbitrary application of export controls. There is need for discussions between concerned parties for an objective mechanism to ensure access to technology in pursuit of socio-economic development. Pakistan has always been ready to discuss end-use and end-user verification mechanisms so that legitimate commercial users are not hurt by discriminatory application of export controls.

Pakistan rejects political use of export controls. It is a reality that the same jurisdictions, which claim to exercise strict non-proliferation controls, have waived off licensing requirements for advanced military technologies for some countries. This is leading to arms buildup; accentuating regional asymmetries and undermining the objectives of non-proliferation and of regional and global peace and security.”

It is strange that according to Missile Defense Agency (MDA) the US has appropriated over $200 billion for the agency’s programs between financial years during 1985 and 2019. The expenditure on the Patriot system is in addition to it. Many extra tens of billions of dollars have been spent since work on anti-missile systems first began in the 1950s.

The US justifies that U.S. ballistic missile defense (BMD) policy ensures to protect the homeland against limited long-range missile strikes from states such as Iran and North Korea, and defends the U.S. troops and facilities abroad, as well as some close allies, from attacks by ballistic missiles—and to a much lesser extent cruise missiles.

The overall U.S. missile defense effort enjoys strong bipartisan support in Congress. Additionally, many U.S. allies place a high value on missile defense cooperation with the United States.

Similarly, Israel has not only developed the nuclear arsenal but also the missile capability to strike at the other nations, but the US has been fully supportive of its arms-build-up. Its mass killing in Gaza has hardly bothered the US.

Conversely, it is arbitrarily and illogically pressuring Pakistan to desist from developing missile system for its defence. This decision also coincided with the Iranian President’s visit to Pakistan. Pakistan retains the right to maintain good relations with its neighbours like Iran and China and develop capabilities to protect itself from the threats emanating from hostile countries like India and elsewhere.

The history of Pak-US relations is marred with US arms embargo on Pakistan post-1965 and sanctions like Pressler and Symington amendments. This slap has further accentuated the image of ‘disposability’ of Pakistan after the US forces left Afghanistan, further highlighting the transactional nature of the relationship, as opposed to ‘all weather friend’ concept of relations with China. The tale of the US 7^th fleet’s betrayal at the crucial time of East Pakistan debacle still haunts millions of Pakistanis. Pakistan’s public sees Pakistan’s relationship with both these two powers in this light. US policymakers ought to make serious efforts to improve its record and perception of desertion of its ally and abandonment of Pakistan.

The author is Editor of The Strategic Brief.