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Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
New Nuclear Threat: Pak developing ballistic missile that could hit US
Washington/New Delhi: The Pakistani military is secretively developing a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could reach the United States, according to intelligence agencies in Washington. The report by 'Foreign Affairs' comes amid reports that Pakistan was looking to upgrade its nuclear arsenal with support from China after India's Operation Sindoor. The report, quoting US officials, said if Pakistan goes on to acquire such a missile, Washington would designate the country as a nuclear adversary. Any nation possessing nuclear weapons that is considered a potential threat or opponent of the US is seen as a nuclear adversary. Presently, Russia, China and North Korea are considered adversarial to the US. "If Pakistan acquires an ICBM, Washington will have no choice but to treat the country as a nuclear adversary. No other country with ICBMs that can target the United States is considered a friend," the report quoted US officials as saying. Pakistan has always claimed that its nuclear program was strictly focused on deterring India. Its policy has been focused on developing short and medium-range missiles. Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), which can be armed with both nuclear and conventional warheads, are capable of hitting targets over 5,500 km. Presently, Pakistan has no ICBMs. In 2022, Pakistan tested the surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile Shaheen-III, which can hit targets over 2,700 km, bringing a number of Indian cities under its range. In developing an intercontinental ballistic missile, Pakistan might be looking to deter the US from trying to eliminate its nuclear arsenal in case of a preventive attack and also prevent it from intervening on India's behalf if both the neighbouring countries clash again. The issue is being viewed with concern by the US. Last year, Washington imposed fresh sanctions related to Pakistan's long-range ballistic-missile program. The sanctions were slapped on the National Development Complex, the state-owned defence agency overseeing the missile program, and three other firms. It froze any US property belonging to the entities and barred American firms from doing business with them. While Pakistan called the move "biased", the US action was based on a State Department factsheet that said Islamabad sought to obtain components for its long-range ballistic-missile program. Pakistan, which possesses around 170 nuclear warheads, is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The treaty is aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The fresh development comes after the latest World Threat Assessment report by the US said Pakistan, rattled by India's Operation Sindoor, was obtaining materials and technology for developing weapons of mass destruction from China. During last month's hostilities, India destroyed nine terror camps and targeted 11 vital airbases deep inside Pakistan. There were reports that Pakistan fired Fatah-II, a hypersonic ballistic missile, towards India. However, the missile was intercepted by India's robust air defence systems.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan developing nuclear-capable ICBM that could reach US after India's Operation Sindoor: Report
Pakistan is developing a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could reach the United States, according to a report published in Washington. Pakistan is said to be developing a long-range ballistic missile.(via REUTERS) According to the report by 'Foreign Affairs', if Pakistan does make or acquire such a weapon, the country would be viewed as a nuclear adversary by the US. The report comes amid buzz that Islamabad was looking to upgrade its nuclear arsenal with support from China after India launched Operation Sindoor last month. Any nation that has nuclear weapons and is considered a potential threat or opponent of the US is termed by Washington as a nuclear adversary. Russia, China and North Korea make up the current list as of now, but according to officials quoted in the report, Pakistan may also find a place in the list if it gets that weapon. "If Pakistan acquires an ICBM, Washington will have no choice but to treat the country as a nuclear adversary. No other country with ICBMs that can target the United States is considered a friend," the report quoted US officials as saying. The official position of Pakistan has always been that its nuclear programme was strictly focused on deterring India, developing short- and medium-range missiles. Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), which can be armed with both nuclear and conventional warheads, are capable of hitting targets over 5,500 km, and Islamabad currently doesn't have any ICBMs in its arsenal. It had tested the surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile Shaheen-III in 2022. The missile has a range of over 2,700 km and brings a number of Indian cities within its range. The reason Pakistan might be developing an ICBM to target the US Pakistan might have started developing an ICBM to try and deter the US from trying to eliminate its nuclear arsenal in case of a preventive attack. It might have gotten even more motivation after Washington's strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. The missile might also prevent the US from intervening on India's behalf if the neighbouring countries clash again. The US is viewing the development with a lot of concern. It had imposed fresh sanctions related to Pakistan's long-range ballistic-missile program last year. The sanctions were slapped on the National Development Complex, the state-owned defence agency overseeing the missile program, and three other firms. Any US property belonging to the four entities was frozen, and American firms were barred from doing business with them. Islamabad had called the move 'biased'. Neither India nor Pakistan is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The treaty is aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Pak working on long-range nuclear ballistic missile that can reach US: Report
The Pakistani military is secretively developing a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could reach the United States, according to intelligence agencies in Washington. The report by 'Foreign Affairs' comes amid reports that Pakistan was looking to upgrade its nuclear arsenal with support from China after India's Operation report, quoting US officials, said if Pakistan goes on to acquire such a missile, Washington would designate the country as a nuclear nation possessing nuclear weapons that is considered a potential threat or opponent of the US is seen as a nuclear adversary. Presently, Russia, China and North Korea are considered adversarial to the US. "If Pakistan acquires an ICBM, Washington will have no choice but to treat the country as a nuclear adversary. No other country with ICBMs that can target the United States is considered a friend," the report quoted US officials as NUCLEAR ARSENALPakistan has always claimed that its nuclear program was strictly focused on deterring India. Its policy has been focused on developing short- and medium-range Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), which can be armed with both nuclear and conventional warheads, are capable of hitting targets over 5,500 km. Presently, Pakistan has no 2022, Pakistan tested the surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile Shaheen-III, which can hit targets over 2,700 km, bringing a number of Indian cities under its developing an intercontinental ballistic missile, Pakistan might be looking to deter the US from trying to eliminate its nuclear arsenal in case of a preventive attack, and also prevent it from intervening on India's behalf if both the neighbouring countries clash SANCTIONSThe issue is being viewed with concern by the US. Last year, Washington imposed fresh sanctions related to Pakistan's long-range ballistic-missile sanctions were slapped on the National Development Complex, the state-owned defence agency overseeing the missile program, and three other firms. It froze any US property belonging to the entities and barred American firms from doing business with Pakistan called the move "biased", the US action was based on a State Department factsheet that said Islamabad sought to obtain components for its long-range ballistic-missile which possesses around 170 nuclear warheads, is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The treaty is aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful uses of nuclear SINDOORThe fresh development comes after the latest World Threat Assessment report by the US said Pakistan, rattled by India's Operation Sindoor, was obtaining materials and technology for developing weapons of mass destruction from last month's hostilities, India destroyed nine terror camps and targeted 11 vital airbases deep inside were reports that Pakistan fired Fatah-II, a hypersonic ballistic missile, towards India. However, the missile was intercepted by India's robust air defence then, several ministers, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, have urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. Rajnath Singh has asserted that Pakistan could be trusted with such weapons.- EndsTune InMust Watch
Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
FATF flags Pak case to sound global weapons funding alarm
A new report by the global financial crimes watchdog has cited India's seizure of equipment with military use bound for Pakistan in 2020 as evidence of widespread failures in preventing weapons proliferation financing, a problem that poses significant threats to world security and the integrity of the international financial system. FATF flags Pak case to sound global weapons funding alarm The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) report, published late on Friday, found that 84% of assessed countries demonstrated inadequate controls despite what FATF described as the 'grave threat' posed by such activities. The report featured a case study detailing how Indian customs authorities in 2020 intercepted dual-use items that were mis-declared as medical equipment but were actually destined for Pakistan's ballistic missile programme. 'Indian custom authorities seized an Asian-flagged ship bound for Pakistan. During an investigation, Indian authorities confirmed that documents mis-declared the shipment's dual-use items,' the FATF report titled Complex Proliferation Financing and Sanctions Evasion Schemes stated. The items were listed as autoclaves, which are 'used for sensitive high energy materials and for insulation and chemical coating of missile motors.' A senior Indian government official described the study as 'the most comprehensive and updated survey of risks related to proliferation financing,' noting that it identifies Pakistan alongside North Korea and Iran as countries where proliferation financing risks 'are inherent.' The FATF categorised the incident as 'non-declaration of dual use goods under the prescribed export laws of the exporting country.' Though the report did not name the exporting country, the ship was intercepted in Indian waters while travelling from China's Jiangyin port to Pakistan's Karachi port, as reported by Indian media, including HT, at the time. What was not reported till now, and referenced in the FATF report, is the link of the shipment to Pakistan's National Development Complex, a defence and aerospace agency under the Pakistan government. 'The Bill of Lading of the seized cargo provided evidence of the link between the importer and the National Development Complex, which is involved in the development of long-range ballistic missiles,' the report stated. Officials said the timing strengthens India's position as it prepares to oppose the World Bank's $20 billion lending commitment to Pakistan over 10 years. India will oppose development funding to Pakistan at the World Bank's upcoming meetings, one of these people said, asking not to be named. 'India is not against multilateral agencies such as the IMF and World Bank extending financial support for the development of the people of Pakistan. However, there is ample evidence that these development funds are diverted by Islamabad from development projects to arm purchase and terror funding,' said one of these officials, asking not to be named. In May, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman contacted IMF leadership directly, presenting evidence of Pakistan's alleged misuse of development funds for military purchases. Despite India's intervention, the IMF executive board approved a $1.4 billion loan for Pakistan under climate resilience funding, though it later imposed 11 strict conditions following New Delhi's objections. 'Pakistan is unlikely to meet those conditions and thus it would not be able to avail the IMF funding,' the official added. Citing data available with multilateral agencies, this official explained: 'Pakistan spends on average around 18% of its general budget on 'defence affairs and services', while even the conflict-affected countries spend on average far less (10-14% of their general budget expenditure). Further, Pakistan's arms imports increased dramatically from 1980 to 2023 by over 20% on average in the years when it received IMF disbursements in comparison to years when it did not receive the same'. A second official said the latest report very nearly 'clubs Pakistan with rogue countries like North Korea.' 'This report will help India in pushing it for placing Pakistan in the grey list again.' The report also comes days after FATF condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, saying it could not have occurred without means to move funds between terrorist supporters, which Indian officials described as a positive step in New Delhi's renewed attempts to put Pakistan back on the grey list. The FATF report highlighted significant vulnerabilities across the global financial system in countering the financing of weapons of mass destruction. It revealed that only 16% of countries worldwide have demonstrated effective implementation of UN sanctions designed to prevent weapons of mass destruction financing. The report cited North Korea as 'the most significant actor' in proliferation financing — having 'generated billions of dollars through cyberattacks targeting virtual asset-related companies, such as the theft of USD 1.5 billion from ByBit in February 2025,' according to the FBI. The report identified four primary methods used to evade sanctions: employing intermediaries, concealing beneficial ownership, exploiting virtual assets and manipulating shipping sectors. In the 2020 incident, the merchant vessel Da Cui Yun, sailing under Hong Kong flag, was stopped by India's customs department at Kandla port in Gujarat on February 3 for wrongly declaring an autoclave as an 'industrial dryer.' An autoclave -- a device that uses high-pressure steam and heat to sterilise materials -- is used in hospitals for sterilising medical equipment, but also helps in the manufacture of specialised materials for missile components under controlled high-pressure and temperature conditions. The interception was following an intelligence tip-off, and experts from the Defence Research and Development Organisation, including nuclear scientists, examined the 18x4-metre autoclave and determined it was dual-use equipment that could serve civilian or military purposes. The vessel was allowed to leave after the autoclave was seized. Reports suggested the Da Cui Yun had made multiple voyages from China to Karachi via Indian ports carrying machinery. The report underscores that 'unless both the public and private sectors urgently bolster technical compliance and effectiveness, those seeking to finance WMD proliferation will continue to exploit weaknesses in existing controls.'
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
FATF report links dual-use cargo seized by India in 2020 to Pakistan missile agency
A dual-use equipment seized by India from a Pakistan-bound merchant vessel in 2020 is linked to Islamabad's National Development Complex, which is involved in the country's missile development programme, a new report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global anti-terror financing watchdog, has said. The report listed the case under a section on the misuse of the maritime and shipping sectors, including to transport a range of commodities, including dual-use equipment. 'In 2020, Indian Customs authorities seized an Asian-flagged ship bound for Pakistan. During an investigation, Indian authorities confirmed that documents mis-declared the shipment's dual-use items,' the FATF report said. 'Indian investigators certified the items for shipment to be 'autoclaves', which are used for sensitive high-energy materials, and for insulation and chemical coating of missile motors,' the report said. It said these sensitive items are included in dual-use export control lists of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The bill of lading of the seized cargo provided evidence of the 'link between the importer and the National Development Complex, which is involved in the development of long-range ballistic missiles', it said. The export of equipment such as autoclaves without formal approval from various authorities is a violation of the existing law, the FATF said. Pakistan's National Development Complex (NDC) has played a crucial role in the development of Pakistan's missile programme. India seized the dual-use equipment from merchant vessel Da Cui Yun at Kandla port in Gujarat on February 3, 2020. Loopholes The report noted significant vulnerabilities in the global financial system in countering the financing of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). "Despite the grave threat posed by proliferation financing, only 16 per cent of countries assessed by the FATF and its global network have demonstrated high or substantial effectiveness" in a process that evaluates the implementation of targeted financial sanctions under the United Nations Security Council resolutions on proliferation. The report said that unless the public and private sectors urgently bolster technical compliance and effectiveness, those seeking to finance WMD proliferation will continue to exploit weaknesses in the existing controls. The report provided a detailed analysis of the evolving methods and techniques used to evade proliferation financing-related sanctions. 'Illicit actors are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to evade sanctions and circumvent export controls,' it said.
