Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the recent US sanctions on Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, calling them unjustified.
During a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, the Prime Minister criticized the sanctions imposed on Pakistan’s National Development Complex and other entities, stating, “These sanctions have no justification.”
He emphasized that Pakistan’s nuclear program is purely defensive, saying, “Pakistan has no intentions of making its nuclear system aggressive; it is solely for deterrence and self-defense.”
The Prime Minister noted that the Foreign Office had issued a comprehensive response to the sanctions and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to its missile program. He declared, “This program belongs to the entire nation, and it is dearest to their hearts. There will be no compromise on it.”
He also stressed the unity of the nation on this matter, asserting, “The entire nation stands together in support of this program.”
The statement follows a week after the US imposed sanctions targeting four entities it alleged were involved in the proliferation or delivery of ballistic missiles. US officials also claimed that Pakistan could potentially develop capabilities to strike targets as far as the United States.