The United States Industry and Security Office (BIS) has added more than a dozen Pakistani companies to its entity list for their participation in “insecure” nuclear activities, with seven additional companies that face restrictions on their contributions to the Balistic missile program of Pakistan.
The measure follows the recent changes to the US export management regulations.
It is considered that traded companies represent a significant risk for the interests of national or foreign security of the United States.
Among the Pakistani companies added to the list for their activities related to the nuclear are Britlite Engineering, Indentch International, Intralink Incorporated, Proc-Master, Rehman Engineering and Services, and others.
The United States government declared that these entities are “acting contrary to the interests of national or foreign security of the United States.”
The new restrictions will limit their access to American technology, require additional licenses for exports, re -exports and transfers in the country that involve these companies.
In addition, seven companies have been sanctioned for their supposed role in the Balistic Missile Program of Pakistan, including allied commercial concerns, global merchants and the automation of the links. These companies are mainly based on Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Wah Cantonment, although they were not immediately available to comment.
In response to the sanctions, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the movement, describing it as “unfair” and politically motivated. Shafqat Ali Khan spokesman argued that these actions were counterproductive for the global export control objectives and clogged the country’s access to the technology necessary for socioeconomic development.
The latest sanctions occur when relations between the United States and Pakistan are still tense after the withdrawal of the United States of Afghanistan in August 2021. Tensions intensified even more last week when the United States imposed a reciprocal rate of 29% on Pakistan imports. Analysts warn that this could affect the $ 17 billion textile industry.
The Pakistan Foreign Ministry has condemned the sanctions and reiterated that the country’s strategic capabilities are vital to defend their regional sovereignty and peace. The government plans to send a high -level delegation to Washington to discuss the new rates, which Pakistan hopes to take advantage of mutual benefits.
The United States government had previously imposed sanctions on the National Development Complex of Pakistan and several commercial entities based in Karachi in December 2023. These actions have been criticized similarly by Pakistan, which insists that they are based on unjustified suspicions instead of evidence.
