US Sanctions and Pakistan's Long-Range Missile Programme
Overview
In December 2024 the US sanctioned Pakistan's state-owned National Development Complex and three suppliers, and a senior White House official said Pakistan's long-range missile work could eventually let it strike the United States. In March 2026 the US intelligence chief listed Pakistan among states whose missiles could threaten the US homeland; Pakistan rejects these claims.
Latest updates
The Congressional Research Service updated its brief on Pakistan's new long-range missile development
Presenting the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment, DNI Tulsi Gabbard listed Pakistan among states developing missiles that could put the US homeland in range; Pakistan's Foreign Office…
Presenting the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment, DNI Tulsi Gabbard listed Pakistan among states developing missiles that could put the US homeland in range; Pakistan's Foreign Office rejected the assertion. (Al Jazeera)
The State Department sanctioned the National Development Complex, Akhtar and Sons, Affiliates International and Rockside Enterprise under Executive Order 13382; Principal Deputy…
The State Department sanctioned the National Development Complex, Akhtar and Sons, Affiliates International and Rockside Enterprise under Executive Order 13382; Principal Deputy NSA Jonathan Finer said Pakistan could become able to strike targets 'including in the United States'. (Profit (Pakistan Today))
Positions on the record
Islamabad says
Pakistan's Foreign Office 'categorically' rejected the US intelligence chief's assertion, saying its strategic capabilities are exclusively defensive and intended to safeguard national sovereignty and maintain peace and stability in South Asia.
Washington says
The US government says the National Development Complex has worked to acquire items 'in furtherance of Pakistan's long range ballistic missile program', and has sanctioned it and its suppliers on proliferation grounds.
Quoted or summarised from the linked public statements only.
Recent developments
Treating Pakistan's strategic programme as a potential threat to the US homeland would change the basis of the relationship. Islamabad sees the measures as discriminatory and tilted towards India, so the issue sits alongside the wider improvement in ties as a lasting point of friction.
Recommended resources
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US imposes sanctions on National Development Complex, three other entities linked to Pakistan's missile program
19 December 2024
via Profit (Pakistan Today)
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Pakistan's New Long-Range Missile Development (IF13086)
31 March 2026
via Congressional Research Service (via EveryCRSReport)
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Gabbard says Pakistan missiles a future threat to US, but experts push back
19 March 2026
via Al Jazeera
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FO rejects US intelligence chief's claims about Pakistan missile threat
via Dawn
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Pakistan's New Long-Range Missile Development (IF13086), PDF
via Congressional Research Service (congress.gov)
