New Delhi: The United States has imposed sanctions on three firms — General Technology Limited, Beijing Luo Luo Technology Development Co Ltd, and Changzhou Utek Composite Company Ltd — for supplying materials used in Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme.
According to a statement from the US State Department, the companies have been sanctioned “pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having engaged, or attempted to engage, in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery (including missiles capable of delivering such weapons), including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer or use such items, by Pakistan”.
According to top American atomic scientists, Pakistan has a stockpile of approximately 170 nuclear warheads, which could realistically grow to around 200 by 2025 at the current growth rate.
Executive Order 13382 blocks persons engaged in the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and members of their support networks. Administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), this executive order denies those parties access to the US financial and commercial systems, according to a media release.
The statement from the US State Department elaborated on the role of each company that led to the sanctions.
General Technology Limited, it stated, has worked to supply brazing materials, which are used to join components in ballistic missile rocket engines, and in the production of combustion chambers.
“Beijing Luo Luo Technology Development Co Ltd. has worked to supply mandrels and other machinery, which can be used in the production of solid‐propellant rocket motors and can be controlled by the Missile Technology Control Regime. Changzhou Utek Composite Company Ltd. has worked since 2019 to supply D‐glass glass fiber, quartz fabric, and high silica cloth, all of which have applications in missile systems,” the statement said, adding that the US is“committed to strengthening the global non-proliferation regime by taking action to disrupt procurement networks supporting proliferation activities of concern”.
It reiterated the US stand on the non-proliferation of WMD saying that the country will continue to act against their proliferation “their means of delivery, and associated procurement activities of concern, wherever they occur”.
“The Department of State is designating the three firms for having engaged, or attempted to engage, in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery (including missiles capable of delivering such weapons), including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer or use such items, by Pakistan,” the statement said.
(Edited by Uttara Ramaswamy)
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