Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday defended Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programme, saying the recent US sanctions against the country’s four entities have “no justification”.
His remarks came days after the US slapped sanctions on four Pakistani firms, including the state-owned flagship aerospace and defence agency — National Development Complex (NDC) — on charges of contributing to ballistic missile programme.
In addition to the NDC, the three other entities are Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, Affiliates International and Rockside Enterprise. All three are based in Karachi, while the NDC is in Islamabad.
“The sanctions placed upon our National Development Complex and other entities have no justification,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said while addressing a federal cabinet meeting.
“Pakistan has absolutely no intention for our nuclear system to be aggressive. It is 100 per cent for Pakistan’s defence. It’s just deterrence; nothing else,” he added.
The prime minister also said that Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme was for defending itself “if God forbid there is aggression against Pakistan”.
Earlier, the Foreign Office termed the US decision to impose sanctions on NDC and three commercial entities as “unfortunate and biased.
Shehbaz noted that the FO had given a “comprehensive response” and said that the missile programme belonged to the entire nation.
“It’s dearer to them (the public) than their hearts and there will be no compromise,” he said, clarifying that the nation was united on the issue.
Pakistan and the US have experienced an uneasy relationship in recent years due to issues related to human rights, terrorism, nuclear weapons and missile programme.
US expresses concern over sentencing of 25 civilians by Pakistan military court: Expressing concern over the sentencing of 25 civilians by a military court in Pakistan, the United States on Monday said that it lacked judicial independence, transparency and due process guarantees.
“The United States is deeply concerned that Pakistani civilians have been sentenced by a military tribunal for their involvement in protests on May 9, 2023. These military courts lack judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees,” said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
“The United States continues to call on Pakistani authorities to respect the right to a fair trial and due process, as enshrined in Pakistan’s constitution,” he added.
However, a close aide of President-elect Donald Trump described it as too little and too weak.
“You are late. And this is too little and too weak. Speak normally. Free Imran Khan,” said Richard Grenell, who served as acting director of national intelligence under President Trump in 2020 and was the US ambassador to Germany from 2018 to 2020.
Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna joined Grenell in seeking freedom for Imran Khan.
“I agree with Richard Grenell. It’s time to free Imran Khan and allow the people of Pakistan to hold new democratic elections,” Khanna said.
“Free Imran Khan. This is bipartisan. We need to not recognize the rigged election in Pakistan and the new government. We need a new election in Pakistan and Imran Khan needs to be out of jail,” Khanna said in a video posted on a social media platform.
Former Trump envoy on Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, said it is time to put more pressure on Pakistan, especially the military, to facilitate reaching a balanced political agreement with PTI and the release of Imran Khan.
