US actions against Pakistan biased, politically motivated: FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Saturday accused the United States government of taking actions against Pakistan terming them as “biased and politically-motivated”.

Spokeswoman at the Foreign Office was asked about the US decision to impose sanctions against commercial entities on allegations of links with Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme. She responded: “Pakistan considers this action as biased and politically-motivated. Similar listings of commercial entities in the past were based on mere suspicion; involved items not listed under any export control regime, and yet were considered sensitive under broad, catch-all provisions.”

The US State Department Thursday imposed sanctions on a Chinese research institute and several companies it said are involved in supplying Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme. This is not the first time the US has imposed such sanctions.

The spokeswoman pointed out it is widely known some countries, while claiming strict adherence to nonproliferation norms, have conveniently waived licensing requirements for advanced military technologies to their favoured states. “Such double standards and discriminatory practices undermine credibility of global nonproliferation regimes, increase military asymmetries and endanger international peace and security,” she said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and China on Saturday noted positive trajectory of bilateral ties when Sun Xiaobo, Chinese Director General (Department of Arms Control) called on Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch. “They underlined the importance of regular exchanges and consultations on arms control & nonproliferation, as an important part of Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue,” said the Foreign Office after the meeting.

Pakistan and China will hold the 10th Round of Bilateral Consultations on Arms Control & Nonproliferation next year in Beijing. Earlier, Pakistan and China held the 9th Round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Consultations on Arms Control and Non-proliferation at the Foreign Office. Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, Director General (Arms Control & Disarmament Division), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and Sun Xiaobo, Director General (Department of Arms Control), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People’s Republic of China, led their respective delegations. “The two sides held in-depth discussions on the entire spectrum of arms control & nonproliferation issues; global and regional security; new and emerging technologies; cyber-security; artificial intelligence; outer space; and bilateral cooperation in the peaceful applications of nuclear technology,” said the Foreign Office. The agenda and dynamics at multilateral forums such as the First Committee of United Nations General Assembly, Conference on Disarmament, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and various Conventions/Treaty Bodies related to disarmament were reviewed.