The US has accused four companies from China and Belarus of supplying ballistic missile components to Pakistan and imposed sanctions on them.
The US State Department said in a statement that the sanctions are being imposed under Executive Order 13382, which is aimed at preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The statement said that these companies have “provided missile components for Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile program.”
The US State Department released the following details on the companies targeted by the sanctions:
Belarus-based Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant has been tasked with providing 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. .
The People’s Republic of China (PRC)-based Xi’anlonged Technology Development Co., Ltd. has supplied missile-related equipment to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, including a filament winding machine, which we estimate are that was prepared for the NDC. Filament winding machines can be used to manufacture rocket motor cases.
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 U.S. assesses as space-saving). (can be used in the manufacture of propellant tanks used in launch vehicles), and a linear accelerator system (which could be used in the testing of US solid rocket motors). The Tianjin Creative purchase was likely intended for Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SPARCO), which designs and manufactures Pakistan’s MTCR Category I ballistic missiles.
PRC-based Granpect Company Limited has partnered with Pakistan’s Sparco to supply equipment for testing large-diameter rocket motors. In addition, Granpact Company Limited also worked to supply equipment for the testing of large diameter rocket motors to Pakistan’s NDC.
What will be the result of sanctions?
The US Department of State also explained in its statement what will be the result of these sanctions and what kind of sanctions they are.
The statement said that all assets of these companies located in the US or in the custody of US persons will be frozen, as well as the assets of the people who own these companies.
Such individuals are also barred from entering the United States, and Americans are barred from doing business with them.
The US has imposed these sanctions at a time when talks are underway between Pakistan and the US to increase security cooperation. Recently, American President Biden had written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and talked about increasing security cooperation and Pakistan also expressed goodwill in response.
Despite all the circumstances, Pakistan has continued its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Pakistan has modernized its nuclear program.
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2024-04-23 14:51:36