[The subject sanctions are definitely a negative development from the Pakistan's point of view. No doubt about that. But, Pakistan, even before that, had no realistic chance of joining the NSG any time soon, if at all. >From that specific angle, it's hardly any additional setback.
The more relevant point is that India, which is in this regard decidedly way better placed than its nuclear neighbour, by virtue of the Indo-US Nuclear Deal concluded in 2008 and the special waivers granted by the IAEA and the NSG, primarily at the proddings of the global headman US, in the process, doesn't also appear to be any closer to the highly coveted NSG membership - a sort of consolation prize to help overcomes the pains of non-achieving the much strived for permament membership in the UNSC, than in the recent past, despite sustained and arduous lobbying. Pakistan's failure is only a poor solace.] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/huge-blow-to-islamabads-nsg-ambitions-as-us-sanctions-7-pakistani-firms-for-nuclear-proliferation/articleshow/63461660.cms Huge blow to Islamabad's NSG ambitions, as US sanctions 7 Pakistani firms for nuclear proliferation Shailaja Neelakantan | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: Mar 26, 2018, 14:41 IST HIGHLIGHTS This US move comes within a month of terror financing watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force, deciding to put Pakistan on its watchlist in June this year Together, both developments have dealt a body blow to Pakistan, which wants to become a member of the NSG NEW DELHI: The US has imposed sanctions on seven Pakistani companies for nuclear proliferation, dealing a significant blow to Islamabad's hopes of becoming a member of the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), reported Pakistani media. This US move comes within a month of terror financing watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force, deciding to put Pakistan on its watchlist + in June this year. Together, both developments have dealt a body blow to Pakistan, which seeks equivalence with India which already has many nations supporting its bid to be a member of the NSG. In fact, India is already a member of the Australia Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, and the Wassenaar Arrangement; membership to these entities is generally seen as precursor to being given NSG entry. The elite NSG's raison d'être is preventing nuclear proliferation. Being put on a US list of entities that engage in nuclear proliferation is considered the "highest level of red-flag" to the US's mission to prevent the misuse or repurposing of American nuclear technology. And with the increasing belligerence of North Korea drawing attention to long-held speculation that Pakistan helped the rogue nation's nuclear programme, things aren't looking very good for Islamabad's NSG ambitions. The seven Pakistani companies the US has sanctioned are "reasonably believed to be involved, or ...pose a significant risk of being or becoming involved, in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States", said the US Bureau of Industry and Security, which added a total of 23 companies to a list of such entities, reported Dawn. "The move forms a series of decisions aimed at putting a squeeze on Pakistan," wrote Dawn, referring no doubt to the US freezing $2 billion in security assistance to Pakistan in January, as well as a $33 million freeze on financial assistance to Pakistan in this month's draft spending bill in the US. Of the seven Pakistani companies, three are listed for "their involvement in the proliferation of unsafeguarded nuclear activities that are contrary to the national security and/or foreign policy interests of the United States", reported The Express Tribune. Two were found procuring supplies for nuclear-related entities already on the list, and two others are suspected to be fronts for already-listed entities," the Tribune added. TOP COMMENT black day for manishankar aiyer Aayush Khera These seven companies have been sanctioned over and above seven others associated with Pakistan's missile programme. Those were sanctioned in December 2016 also by the US department of commerce and also for "acting contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the US." -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
