The US has announced sanctions against three Chinese companies, one Pakistani company, and a Chinese citizen for their role in Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme yesterday. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced that the sanctions target the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry (RIAMB), which helped Pakistan’s National Development Complex acquire equipment for testing large rocket motors, including those used in Shaheen-3 and Ababeel missiles. These sanctions are based on a 2005 executive order designed to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

The Chinese companies Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment, Universal Enterprise Ltd, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Ltd (Lontek) are also sanctioned for transferring equipment and technology to Pakistan’s Innovative Equipment. Since Pakistan is not part of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), these actions are seen as violations of international rules to curb missile technology proliferation.

The MTCR is an international group of 35 members, including India, working to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons by limiting their delivery systems.