After the US announced a fresh set of sanctions on Pakistan's ballistic missile programme, the Islamic country hit back, labeling the US move as "unfortunate and biased" before warning America of its "dangerous implications" on the stability of the South Asian region.
Pakistan views the US decision to impose sanctions on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and three commercial entities as "unfortunate and biased," the spokeswoman for the country's Foreign Ministry, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, stated on Thursday.
"Pakistan's strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia. The latest installment of sanctions defies the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries. Such policies have dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond," she stressed.
Baloch's statement came hours after US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller declared that America was slapping sanctions on the National Development Complex (NDC), Pakistan's state-owned agency that oversees its long-range ballistic-missile program.
Besides, three other private entities were put on the sanctions list, with Miller declaring them "proliferators of weapons of mass destruction".
Besides, three other private entities were put on the sanctions list, with Miller declaring them "proliferators of weapons of mass destruction".
"In light of the continuing proliferation threat of Pakistan's long-range missile development, the United States is designating four entities for sanctions pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery," Miller said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern," he concluded.