Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist, Diplomat, Editor, Analyst, Consultant, Advisor, and Non-Resident Fellow of CCG. (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com).

The Department of State has taken action to designate four entities under Section 1(a)(ii) of Executive Order 13382, aimed at curbing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. These entities have been identified for their involvement in supplying missile-related items to Pakistan's ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile endeavors.

One of the designated entities, the Belarus-based Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, has been engaged in providing special vehicle chassis crucial for Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile program. These chassis serve as integral launch support equipment for ballistic missiles developed by Pakistan's National Development Complex (NDC), which oversees the production of Missile Technology Control Regime Category I ballistic missiles.

Similarly, the People’s Republic of China (PRC)-based Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited has been implicated in supplying missile-related equipment, such as filament winding machines, to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program. These machines are essential for manufacturing rocket motor cases, a critical component of ballistic missiles.

Another Chinese entity, Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd, has supplied equipment pertinent to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, including stir welding equipment and a linear accelerator system. These procurements, likely destined for Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), play a significant role in the production and inspection processes of missile components.

Additionally, PRC-based Granpect Company Limited has collaborated with Pakistan’s SUPARCO to provide testing equipment for large diameter rocket motors, further contributing to Pakistan's missile development efforts.

In response to these designations and in accordance with Executive Order 13382, all property and interests in property of the designated entities located within the United States or under the control of U.S. persons are now blocked and must be reported to the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Furthermore, any individuals or entities with ownership stakes of 50 percent or more in these designated entities are also subject to sanctions.

These sanctions prohibit any transactions involving the designated entities or their assets unless specifically authorized by OFAC. This includes the provision of funds, goods, or services to or from these entities, as well as the entry of designated individuals into the United States, as outlined in Presidential Proclamation 8693.

In response to inquiries regarding these sanctions, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that while Pakistan acknowledges past listings of commercial entities linked to its ballistic missile program, the specificity of the latest measures by the United States remains unclear. Baloch emphasized the need for objective mechanisms to avoid unwarranted sanctions, highlighting Pakistan’s willingness to engage in discussions for end-use and end-user verification mechanisms to protect legitimate commercial interests.

Furthermore, Baloch criticized the arbitrary application of export controls and called out discriminatory practices in non-proliferation regimes, emphasizing the importance of upholding global peace and security without exacerbating military asymmetries through double standards.

The sanctions are irrational, illogical and ill-motivated. Sanctions are based on assumption and without any concrete evidence. It seems the sanctions are politically motivated to punish Pakistan, China and Belarus. The US is in a habit of using sanctions against political rivals to coerce them in the past. If one study the history of sanctions, all were imposed on political rivals. 

Whereas, the most brutal nations like Israel and India were always favorite to US and all sanctions were expected to them. India has surpassed all records of human right violations and using all dirty atrocities and brutalities to suppress minorities in India. Israel is committing war crimes in Palestine for more than seven decades, and currently committing genocide in Gaza, but, the US keeps its lips closed, no sanctions on Israel or India!

In fact, the US is a largest violator of UN charter and spreading proliferation of weapons of mass destruction around the globe. US is largest manufacturer of weapons and largest exporter of weapons. It has a track record of using weapons of mass destruction around the globe in last several decades. It has used weapons of mass destruction in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and many parts of world. The worst thing is that in the know history of human kind, it is only US, who has used Atom bombs – against Japan in World War II. 

US is openly violating UN charter and must be punished. All sanctions must be imposed on US. It is still providing lethal weapons to Israel and supporting its genocide in Gaza. Time is mature that entire world should stand up and impose sanctions on US. 

As a matter of fact, the current sanctions are part of anti-China and anti-Russia campaign launched by the US. Whereas, Belarus and Pakistan are being punished to be close friends of Russia and China. 

As a result, the US has been exposed and its hypocrisy is known to everyone. The US has been facing isolation, especially in recent years, whenever there are voting in the UN, it faces severe opposition and losing its reputation and face. The anti-American sentiments are growing rapidly worldwide, even, some of its close allies are also criticizing its negative policies.  Sooner or later the US will lose its reputation and status of superpower. The world has better understanding and information about US. 

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)