US calls Pakistan a long-term partner but defends sanctions over ballistic missile program

The United States (US) considers Pakistan a long-term partner but will not hesitate to act to protect its own interests, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated during a press briefing when asked about the reasoning behind sanctions imposed on a Chinese research institute and others involved in supplying Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.

The U.S. State Department imposed sanctions on a Chinese research institute and several companies it claimed were involved in supporting Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.

“Pakistan has been a long-term partner of ours, and I think what this action shows is that there continue to be areas where we have disagreements. When we have disagreements, we won’t hesitate to act on them to protect America’s interests,” Miller said.

He reminded that it has been longstanding U.S. policy to deny support to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, and that the US will continue to use sanctions and other tools to ensure national security and prevent the US financial system from being used by proliferators.

Miller also emphasized that the United States remains committed to strengthening the international nonproliferation regime by taking action against networks supporting activities of proliferation concern.

“We have been clear and consistent about our concerns with Pakistan’s ballistic missile program for many years,” he added.

“The executive order action taken last week follows our October 2023 and April 2024 designations of six PRC entities and one Belarusian entity that have worked to supply Pakistan’s missile program, as well as the inclusion of numerous Pakistani and third-country entities on the Department of Commerce’s Entity List over the years.”