PM slams US sanctions on Pakistani firms as ‘unjustified and illogical’

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declared that there is no justification for imposing sanctions on Pakistan’s nuclear programme, reaffirming that the country’s defence system was solely for national security, not meant for aggression but only deterrence, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz Sharif stated, “Pakistan’s nuclear programme belongs to its 240 million citizens, and we will never compromise on it.”

As per the TV report, the cabinet meeting focused on various critical issues, including national challenges, economic concerns, and negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

It is pertinent to mention here that on December 20, the US announced new sanctions related to Pakistan's ballistic missile development programme. The restrictions, for the first time, were imposed on the country's state defence agency, which oversees the missile programme. These sanctions aim to curb Pakistan's efforts to advance its missile technology and address concerns over its growing missile capabilities.

Coming to the US sanctions on country’s NDC and other entities, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the move illogical as Pakistan’s nuclear system was not meant for any aggression but only deterrence.

Sehbaz told the cabinet members that terrorism witnessed a surge in the country during the last few months as in a recent attack the terrorists killed 17 security personnel and the security forces also eliminated eight of the Khawarij.

“The sanctions imposed on the National Development Complex and other firms, there is no justification for it,” Shehbaz Sharif told the federal cabinet, adding “Pakistan does not harbour any intentions in which its nuclear system is aggressive, it is 100 percent in Pakistan’s defence. It is just deterrence, nothing else.”

The prime minister said Pakistan’s nuclear programme did not belong to either him or members of the federal cabinet. Rather, he said it belonged to the 240 million people of the country. “There will be no compromise on it and the entire nation is completely united on this,” he declared. 

The US State Department had announced on December 18 that it was imposing more sanctions related to nuclear-armed Pakistan’s long-range ballistic-missile programme, including on the state-owned defence agency that oversees the programme. The sanctions freeze any US property belonging to the targeted entities and bars Americans from doing business with them. 

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that the measures slapped on the National Development Complex (NDC) and three firms were imposed under an executive order that “targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Office responded sharply to the announcement the same day, describing the move as “double standards and discriminatory practices,” warning it endangered regional and international peace and security.

PM vows to crush terrorism

The cabinet members also offered Fateha for the martyred souls of the security personnel.

The prime minister said that in coordination with the provincial governments, all-out resources were being utilised to purge the country of terrorism and reiterated the resolve not to sit idle until the objective was achieved.

Regarding the sectarian clashes in KP, the prime minister criticised the provincial government for utilising the resources to march on Islamabad, instead of addressing the issue.

PM hopes positive outcome of govt-PTI talks

Addressing the federal cabinet, Shehbaz Sharif assuring the government’s sincere efforts and contributions, expressed the hope that the talks initiated between the ruling coalition and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf would bring about positive outcomes to promote peace and economic stability in the country.

The prime minister said that on the National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s initiative, the first round of talks with PTI was held on Monday with the second one scheduled on January 2, 2025. He said the government’s committee comprised Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaulah, Irfan Siddiqui, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Abdul Aleem Khan, Ijazul Haq and Khalid Magsi.

He said the process would meet success only if both parties set aside their likes and dislikes for the sake of national interests. “I do not doubt anyone’s intentions. I hope both PTI and the government party will bring about the outcomes for the country’s benefits and promote the economic stability,” he said while mentioning the reduced policy rate to 13%, inflation below 5%, constant surge in exports and remittances.

Referring to his meetings with Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Dr Yunus, and the presidents of Indonesia and Turkiye on the sidelines of the D-8 Summit in Cairo, he said Pakistan-Bangladesh ties were entering a new era as the latter had abolished erstwhile 100% scanning of Pakistan’s export products and special desk at airports for screening Pakistani passport holders.

He said Pakistan was also reciprocating with positive indicators and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was scheduled to visit Dhaka in February. “But all these efforts will come to fruition if we promote the national unity and solidarity. This is a good initiative of the National Assembly speaker. We will contribute with sincerity. But it takes two to tango. I hope both parties will play their part to serve the national interests and promote national stability,” he added.

Reporter Awais Kiyani