The United States has enacted sanctions against four companies in Pakistan due to their purported involvement in the country’s ballistic missile program. Jon Finer, the US Deputy National Security Advisor, voiced apprehensions regarding the increasing sophistication of Pakistan’s missile technology. During a presentation at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on December 20, he cautioned that advancements in Pakistan’s missile capabilities could represent a potential threat not only to the regional stability but also to the United States itself.
Finer pointed out that Pakistan’s missile systems have become significantly more advanced, featuring long-range ballistic missiles and larger rocket motors, which may enable Pakistan to extend its targeting capabilities beyond South Asia. This progression, he noted, raises critical concerns regarding Pakistan’s strategic intentions. In response, Pakistan’s leadership, particularly Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has strongly criticized the sanctions, labeling them as lacking any justification. During a federal cabinet meeting, Sharif asserted that Pakistan’s missile program is solely for defensive purposes and not aimed at aggression, emphasizing that the nation’s nuclear capabilities are entirely focused on deterrence against potential external threats.
