The US has slapped sanctions on three Chinese companies and one from Belarus for supplying missile-applicable items for Pakistan’s ballistic missile programmes, including its long-range missile programme, the state department has announced.

The companies are Xi’an Longde Technology Development, Tianjin Creative Source International Trade and Granpect Co. Ltd from China and Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant from Belarus.

These entities “have engaged in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery, including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer or use such items, by Pakistan”, state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Friday.

Miller said the US is committed to strengthening the global non-proliferation regime by taking action to disrupt procurement networks supporting proliferation activities of concern.

China, an all-weather ally of Pakistan, has been the main supplier of arms and defence equipment to Islamabad’s ambitious military modernisation programme.

The Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant in Belarus supplied special vehicle chassis to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile programme.

Such chassis are used as launch support equipment for ballistic missiles by Pakistan’s National Development Complex, which is responsible for the development of Missile Technology Control Regime Category I ballistic missiles.