Pakistan Plays Down Defense-Related US Sanctions

[Samee Ulhaq]

This handout photograph released by Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations on Dec. 11, 2015, shows a Shaheen III surface-to-surface ballistic missile launching from an undisclosed location in Pakistan.

December 31, 2016 6:17 By: Ayaz Gul

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

Pakistan says that the United States did not share evidence of wrongdoing before placing recent sanctions against certain defense-related Pakistani entities, but that it has pledged to work with Washington to address all concerns.

A December 15 notification by the Department of Commerce
(https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...ddition-of-certain-persons-to-the-entity-list)

It named the entities and added them to the Export Administration Regulations list, saying "these government, parastatal and private entities in Pakistan are determined to be involved in activities that are contrary to the national security and/or foreign policy of the United States."

The facilities in question are thought to be associated with Pakistan's missile development program, though officials in Islamabad have not acknowledged it. The U.S. government has not revealed details of violations these entities are alleged to have committed.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Nafees Zakaria told VOA on Saturday that the government was aware of the sanctions.

"This means that for any transfers of technology to these entities, U.S. exporters will need a license," he said, adding that Pakistani authorities were examining the case to ascertain the facts behind the listing.

Ready for discussions

Zakaria called the timing of the sanctions "intriguing." He told VOA that Pakistan was ready to work with the U.S. at the level of experts to devise mutually agreed-upon procedures for end-use guarantees.

"This will help in assuring nondiversion of high-technology exports from the U.S. without hampering our legitimate imports for socioeconomic development activities," the Pakistani spokesman said.

Pakistan officials insist their missile and nuclear programs are "completely indigenous," and that U.S. sanctions will have "little bearing" on them.

"It means nothing for us," said a senior official associated with the projects. He requested not to be named because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

The officials described the sanctions as a politically motivated move aimed at creating problems for the incoming Donald Trump administration's relations with Pakistan.

Islamabad has developed and equipped its armed forces with a variety of short-, medium- and long-range missiles, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.

The program has raised concerns in Washington about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, though Islamabad dismisses such issues as misplaced.

 

[My-Analogous]

This handout photograph released by Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations on Dec. 11, 2015, shows a Shaheen III surface-to-surface ballistic missile launching from an undisclosed location in Pakistan.

December 31, 2016 6:17 By: Ayaz Gul

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

Pakistan says that the United States did not share evidence of wrongdoing before placing recent sanctions against certain defense-related Pakistani entities, but that it has pledged to work with Washington to address all concerns.

A December 15 notification by the Department of Commerce
(https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...ddition-of-certain-persons-to-the-entity-list)

It named the entities and added them to the Export Administration Regulations list, saying "these government, parastatal and private entities in Pakistan are determined to be involved in activities that are contrary to the national security and/or foreign policy of the United States."

The facilities in question are thought to be associated with Pakistan's missile development program, though officials in Islamabad have not acknowledged it. The U.S. government has not revealed details of violations these entities are alleged to have committed.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Nafees Zakaria told VOA on Saturday that the government was aware of the sanctions.

"This means that for any transfers of technology to these entities, U.S. exporters will need a license," he said, adding that Pakistani authorities were examining the case to ascertain the facts behind the listing.

Ready for discussions

Zakaria called the timing of the sanctions "intriguing." He told VOA that Pakistan was ready to work with the U.S. at the level of experts to devise mutually agreed-upon procedures for end-use guarantees.

"This will help in assuring nondiversion of high-technology exports from the U.S. without hampering our legitimate imports for socioeconomic development activities," the Pakistani spokesman said.

Pakistan officials insist their missile and nuclear programs are "completely indigenous," and that U.S. sanctions will have "little bearing" on them.

"It means nothing for us," said a senior official associated with the projects. He requested not to be named because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

The officials described the sanctions as a politically motivated move aimed at creating problems for the incoming Donald Trump administration's relations with Pakistan.

Islamabad has developed and equipped its armed forces with a variety of short-, medium- and long-range missiles, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.

The program has raised concerns in Washington about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, though Islamabad dismisses such issues as misplaced.

US put sanction so that Pakistan can't reply India ICBM and now the ball is in Pakistan court

 

[SirHatesALot]

US put sanction so that Pakistan can't reply India ICBM and now the ball is in Pakistan court

These sanctions are very old just being renewed people are making big fuss out of it.

 

[My-Analogous]

These sanctions are very old just being renewed people are making big fuss out of it.

And why it renewed?

 

[Samee Ulhaq]

U.S. counterterrorism authorities are growing increasingly concerned about the activities of the student branch of a banned Pakistani militant organization that's seen as a threat to regional and U.S. interests.
The State Department this week announced it was adding the student wing of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to its list of foreign terrorist organizations.
The move against the student group, Al-Muhammadia Students (AMS), came as the U.S. Treasury Department added two LeT leaders to the U.S. list of specially designated global terrorists, subjecting them to sanctions that bar Americans from doing business with them.
"AMS is a subsidiary of LeT and has worked with LeT senior leaders to organize recruiting courses and other activities for youth," the State Department said in a statement.
LeT, or the Army of the Pure, is one of the largest and most virulent anti-India terrorist groups in Pakistan. It has been accused of orchestrating numerous attacks, including a 2008 assault in India's Mumbai that killed 166 people, including six U.S. citizens.

 

[SirHatesALot]

And why it renewed?

Isnt it a secret US has always opposed Pakistan's nuclear program.

 

[Samee Ulhaq]

These sanctions are very old just being renewed people are making big fuss out of it.

Obivously these sanction are old but above document states addition of 7 entities in these sanction or Entity List pursuant to sections of part 744 (Control Policy: End-User and End-Use Based) and part 746 (Embargoes and Other Special Controls) of the EAR.

 

[My-Analogous]

Isnt it a secret US has always opposed Pakistan's nuclear program.

Yes but these sanction is not for Nuclear program but for missile program

 

[SirHatesALot]

Yes but these sanction is not for Nuclear program but for missile program

Missiles that will carry nuclear warheads

 

[fitpOsitive]

Nice job USA..........for Pakistan. Thank you for reminding us that you are an "ally".

 

[My-Analogous]

Missiles that will carry nuclear warheads

Yes and we already have good tools and US can't undo them

So why US still imposing? The answer is ICBM

 

[somebozo]

Pakistan has entire India and Afghanistan covered and there is no one else who gives us enough threat to shove a rocket up their map! All we need to do is make sure this rocket is fast and evasive enough to bypass land based SAM defenses especially S400+. Or have the capacity to shoot them in enough numbers that land based SAM defenses go sterile!

 

[LeGenD]

Good to know that Pakistani government is working on the issue.

 

[wiseone2]

And why it renewed?

it is routine

Obivously these sanction are old but above document states addition of 7 entities in these sanction or Entity List pursuant to sections of part 744 (Control Policy: End-User and End-Use Based) and part 746 (Embargoes and Other Special Controls) of the EAR.

View attachment 365248

are these entities new ??

 

[Counterpunch]

Like Pakistan gives two hoots to US over such sanctions. Nor were we bothered enough in the past and achieved what the whole World knows we did !

US should stop embarrassing itself, considering the eastern neighbor just test fired an ICBM and has relatively poorer nuclear safety record than ours