PNN – A few days after imposing economic tariffs on Islamabad, the United States sanctioned 12 Pakistani companies for alleged unprotected activities in the nuclear and ballistic missile fields, a move that the Islamabad government called unfair and criticized Washington’s political motives.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, the United States has once again sanctioned and blacklisted Pakistani entities for suspected threats to national security and unsafe practices. The decision was taken just two days after a telephone conversation between the Pakistani and American foreign ministers.
The Pakistani newspaper Express Tribune wrote in this regard: A few days after US President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs on Pakistan, Washington has now also sanctioned 12 Pakistani companies.
The US Department of Industry and Security added 12 Pakistani companies to its Entity List for what it said were “participation in unsecured nuclear activities,” and seven other companies face restrictions for participating in Pakistan’s missile programs.
Read more:
US delegation meets with Pakistani Prime Minister amid sanctions and tariffs against Islamabad
Sanctioning officials in the United States claim that the above companies pose a significant risk to national security or foreign policy interests of the United States.
The Express Tribune wrote: The new restrictions will limit these companies’ access to American technologies and will require new licenses for exports and domestic transfers related to these companies.
In response to the new US sanctions, the spokesperson for the Pakistani Foreign Ministry criticized the move, describing it as “unfair” and politically motivated.
Shafqat Ali Khan added that these measures are counterproductive to global export control goals and prevent countries from accessing the technology needed for socio-economic development.
According to this report, the tariffs imposed by the United States on goods imported from Pakistan have raised concerns among the country’s officials and businessmen, and it is expected that with the 29% increase in US tariffs, the textile industries exporting from Pakistan to the United States will face losses of $17 billion.