U.S. sanctions seven Pakistani entities for links with country's missile programme

The United States government has imposed sanctions against seven Pakistani entities for allegedly having links with the country's missile programme.

The Dawn quoted an official notification by the U.S. Department of Commerce, as saying that the entities added to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) list "have been determined by the U.S. government to be acting contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States".

The seven entities have been identified as Ahad International, Air Weapons Complex, Engineering Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Maritime Technology Complex National Engineering and Scientific Commission, New Auto Engineering and Universal Tooling Services.

Pakistan has always denied any wrongdoing in connection with its nuclear or missile programme.

The notification said Washington has determined that there is reasonable cause to believe that these entities in Pakistan were determined to be involved in activities opposed to the national security and foreign policies of the United States based on specific and articulable facts.

The conduct of these seven entities raised sufficient concern ahead of reviewing of exports, re-exports or transfers of items subject to EAR regulations.

These entities would now require a licence for all items subject to EAR clearance and a licence review policy of presumption of denial.