<p>The US said it has imposed sanctions on four firms, three Chinese and one Belarusian, for aiding Pakistan's ballistic missile project. The action was taken to disrupt networks “supporting proliferation activities,” a press statement read. The four companies allegedly provided Pakistan with items to support its ballistic missile programmes, including its long-range missile endeavours.</p>

<p>“The companies have been involved in activities or transactions that significantly contribute to or pose a risk of substantially contributing to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their delivery systems by Pakistan,” read the statement.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwigwqSN39CFAxUfhq8BHXHuCg4QxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-newly-elected-jamaat-e-islami-chief-announces-anti-government-movement-712953" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-newly-elected-jamaat-e-islami-chief-announces-anti-government-movement-712953&amp;ved=2ahUKEwigwqSN39CFAxUfhq8BHXHuCg4QxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE">Pakistan: Newly-elected Jamaat-e-Islami chief announces anti-government movemen</a></strong></p>

<p>The US added that it was committed to boosting the international nonproliferation framework by acting against proliferation networks of weapons of mass destruction.</p>

<h2><strong>Which four firms are targeted?</strong></h2>

<p><strong>Belarus's Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant</strong></p>

<p>Reason: The firm is believed to have provided a specialised vehicle chassis to Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile program. This item provided launch support to missiles developed by the National Development Complex (NDC).</p>

<p><strong>China’s Xi'an Longde Technology Development Company Limited</strong></p>

<p>This Chinese firm was targeted because it provided Pakistan with missile-related equipment, such as a filament winding machine.</p>

<p><strong>China’s Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd</strong></p>

<p>This Chinese firm is accused of supplying stir welding equipment and a linear accelerator system to Pakistan's ballistic missile program. This was likely meant for Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), its space agency.</p>

<p><strong>China’s Granpect Company Limited</strong></p>

<p>This Chinese company allegedly joined hands with SUPARCO in Pakistan to provide testing equipment for large-diameter rocket motors.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Pakistan suicide bomb blast footage released</strong></p>

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<p>“All individuals or entities that have ownership, either directly or indirectly, 50 per cent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt,” the press release said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The US said it has imposed sanctions on four firms, three Chinese and one Belarusian, for aiding Pakistan's ballistic missile project. The action was taken to disrupt networks “supporting proliferation activities,” a press statement read.

The US said it has imposed sanctions on four firms, three Chinese and one Belarusian, for aiding Pakistan's ballistic missile project. The action was taken to disrupt networks “supporting proliferation activities,” a press statement read. The four companies allegedly provided Pakistan with items to support its ballistic missile programmes, including its long-range missile endeavours. “The companies have been involved in activities or transactions that significantly contribute to or pose a risk of substantially contributing to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their delivery systems by Pakistan,” read the statement. Also read: Pakistan: Newly-elected Jamaat-e-Islami chief announces anti-government movemen The US added that it was committed to boosting the international nonproliferation framework by acting against proliferation networks of weapons of mass destruction. Which four firms are targeted? Belarus's Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant Reason: The firm is believed to have provided a specialised vehicle chassis to Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile program. This item provided launch support to missiles developed by the National Development Complex (NDC). China’s Xi'an Longde Technology Development Company Limited This Chinese firm was targeted because it provided Pakistan with missile-related equipment, such as a filament winding machine. China’s Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd This Chinese firm is accused of supplying stir welding equipment and a linear accelerator system to Pakistan's ballistic missile program. This was likely meant for Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), its space agency. China’s Granpect Company Limited This Chinese company allegedly joined hands with SUPARCO in Pakistan to provide testing equipment for large-diameter rocket motors. Watch: Pakistan suicide bomb blast footage released × “All individuals or entities that have ownership, either directly or indirectly, 50 per cent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt,” the press release said. (With inputs from agencies)

US imposes sanctions on Chinese, Belarusian firms for aiding Pakistan's missile project

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of 'special military operations' in Ukraine coincided with former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Russia in February 2022. Two months later, Khan was ousted from power after a no-trust-vote which the Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf leader in a <a href="https://x.com/sidhant/status/1509571970903719938?s=20">purported <em>faux pas</em> during a television address</a> claimed was orchestrated at the US' behest. Later, the new Pakistani government under&nbsp;Shehbaz Sharif secretly sent weapons to Ukraine in exchange for a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, the money Pakistan desperately needed to stay afloat.</p>

<p>The above sequence of events, reflecting a behind-the-scenes manoeuvring between Washington and Rawalpindi are connected, according to an investigative report by The Intercept. It was basically a 'bullets for bailout' arrangement.</p>

<p>Rawalpindi is home to the Pakistani army's headquarters, a short distance away from the capital Islamabad.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/ukraine-and-pakistan-friends-enemies-or-frenemies-564017">Ukraine and Pakistan: Friends, enemies or frenemies?</a></strong></p>

<p>The Intercept report cited two sources with knowledge of the arrangement and access to internal Pakistani and American government documents to confirm the arrangement between the US and Pakistan, with Islamabad's authority deeply embedded within its military-intelligence nexus to take such strategic calls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report claims that ahead of Imran Khan's ouster from power, the US State Department diplomats privately expressed anger to their Pakistani counterparts over what they called Pakistan’s "aggressively neutral" stance on the Ukraine war under Khan.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Reports: Pakistan steps up arms supply to Ukraine | Russia-Ukraine War</strong></p>

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<p>They warned of dire consequences if Khan remained in power and promised "all would be forgiven" if he were removed.</p>

<p>The developments in Pakistan after April 2022, the month when Khan was ousted from power, have put the South Asian nation among the ones who ended up assisting Ukraine's war effort against Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following the secret arms supply to Ukraine, an IMF bailout was reportedly arranged for Pakistan at the US' behest, which allowed Islamabad to postpone -- if not prevent -- the economic catastrophe.</p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>Analysts cited by The Intercept said that Pakistani democracy may arguably be a casualty of war in Ukraine.</p>

<p>"Pakistani democracy may ultimately be a casualty of Ukraine’s counteroffensive," Arif Rafiq, a nonresident scholar at the Middle East Institute and specialist on Pakistan, was quoted as saying by The Intercept.</p>

<h2><strong>Pakistan dismisses report&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>In response to media inquiries, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reportedly rubbished the investigative report as "baseless and fabricated."&nbsp;</p>

<p>She said, “IMF Standby Arrangement for Pakistan was successfully negotiated between Pakistan and the IMF to implement difficult but essential economic reforms. Giving any other colour to these negotiations is disingenuous. Pakistan maintains a policy of strict neutrality in the dispute between Ukraine and Russia and in that context, does not provide any arms and ammunition to them. Pakistan’s defense exports are always accompanied by strict end user requirements.”</p>

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Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of 'special military operations' in Ukraine coincided with former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Russia in February 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of 'special military operations' in Ukraine coincided with former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Russia in February 2022. Two months later, Khan was ousted from power after a no-trust-vote which the Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf leader in a purported faux pas during a television address claimed was orchestrated at the US' behest. Later, the new Pakistani government under Shehbaz Sharif secretly sent weapons to Ukraine in exchange for a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, the money Pakistan desperately needed to stay afloat. The above sequence of events, reflecting a behind-the-scenes manoeuvring between Washington and Rawalpindi are connected, according to an investigative report by The Intercept. It was basically a 'bullets for bailout' arrangement. Rawalpindi is home to the Pakistani army's headquarters, a short distance away from the capital Islamabad. Also read | Ukraine and Pakistan: Friends, enemies or frenemies? The Intercept report cited two sources with knowledge of the arrangement and access to internal Pakistani and American government documents to confirm the arrangement between the US and Pakistan, with Islamabad's authority deeply embedded within its military-intelligence nexus to take such strategic calls. The report claims that ahead of Imran Khan's ouster from power, the US State Department diplomats privately expressed anger to their Pakistani counterparts over what they called Pakistan’s "aggressively neutral" stance on the Ukraine war under Khan. Also watch | Reports: Pakistan steps up arms supply to Ukraine | Russia-Ukraine War × They warned of dire consequences if Khan remained in power and promised "all would be forgiven" if he were removed. The developments in Pakistan after April 2022, the month when Khan was ousted from power, have put the South Asian nation among the ones who ended up assisting Ukraine's war effort against Russia. Following the secret arms supply to Ukraine, an IMF bailout was reportedly arranged for Pakistan at the US' behest, which allowed Islamabad to postpone -- if not prevent -- the economic catastrophe. What does it mean? Analysts cited by The Intercept said that Pakistani democracy may arguably be a casualty of war in Ukraine. "Pakistani democracy may ultimately be a casualty of Ukraine’s counteroffensive," Arif Rafiq, a nonresident scholar at the Middle East Institute and specialist on Pakistan, was quoted as saying by The Intercept. Pakistan dismisses report In response to media inquiries, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reportedly rubbished the investigative report as "baseless and fabricated." She said, “IMF Standby Arrangement for Pakistan was successfully negotiated between Pakistan and the IMF to implement difficult but essential economic reforms. Giving any other colour to these negotiations is disingenuous. Pakistan maintains a policy of strict neutrality in the dispute between Ukraine and Russia and in that context, does not provide any arms and ammunition to them. Pakistan’s defense exports are always accompanied by strict end user requirements.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Everything will be forgiven': How the US got Pakistan's support for Ukraine after aiding Imran Khan's ouster

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US imposes sanctions on Chinese, Belarusian firms for aiding Pakistan's missile project

'Everything will be forgiven': How the US got Pakistan's support for Ukraine after aiding Imran Khan's ouster