ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, commenting on the sanctions imposed by US on alleged suppliers for Ballistic Missiles, recalled that such listings of commercial entities had taken place in the past as well.

“While we are not aware of the specifics of the latest measures by the United States, in the past we have come across many instances where listings have been made on mere suspicion or even when the involved items were not on any control lists but were deemed sensitive under catch-all provisions.

“We have pointed out many times that such items have legitimate civil commercial uses. It is, therefore, important to avoid arbitrary application of export controls.”

It is pertinent to mention here that sanctions have been has imposed by the US on three Chinese and one Belarus firms for their alleged involvement in supplying items helping Pakistan develop long-distance ballistic missiles.

Newspakistan.tv