Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States, has firmly stated that the latest US sanctions targeting Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme will not derail the country’s missile capabilities or its ongoing advancements.
In an interview with a local news channel, Lodhi emphasized that these sanctions were merely a continuation of the US’s long-standing approach to Pakistan’s nuclear ambitions, and would have little to no effect. She pointed out the clear double standard in US policy, noting that despite India’s advanced missile program, it has never faced similar sanctions, calling the US approach towards Pakistan “discriminatory.”
Lodhi also addressed the deteriorating US-Pakistan relationship, asserting that under President Trump’s administration, Pakistan’s strategic importance has waned, with the US increasingly focused on China. She criticized the US for its political maneuvering over Pakistan’s nuclear program, deeming it unnecessary and counterproductive.
In response to the US sanctions imposed on Wednesday, which targeted four entities linked to Pakistan’s missile proliferation, the US State Department reiterated its commitment to preventing nuclear proliferation. However, Lodhi assured that these measures would not affect Pakistan’s strategic goals. She concluded by reinforcing that Pakistan’s missile and nuclear programs would remain unaffected by external pressures.
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PRESS UPDATE