Pakistan has strongly dismissed concerns raised by a senior US official regarding its missile capabilities, labeling the allegations as baseless and detrimental to bilateral relations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability, emphasizing that its strategic programme is purely defensive in nature.
The Foreign Office expressed disappointment over the US official’s remarks at a think tank, describing the alleged threat perception as lacking rationality and historical context.
In an official statement, the ministry highlighted the long-standing positive relationship between Pakistan and the United States, dating back to 1954. It cautioned that baseless accusations against Pakistan, a major non-NATO ally, could harm the broad-ranging partnership, especially without any supporting evidence.
The ministry stressed that Pakistan’s missile programme aims to protect its sovereignty and ensure peace in South Asia. It reiterated the importance of maintaining credible minimum deterrence in response to evolving threats, clarifying that these capabilities are not intended as hostility toward any country, including the US.
The spokesperson also criticized what it described as inconsistent US concerns, pointing out that the focus on Pakistan’s missile programme overlooks more significant capabilities in the region.
Referring to Pakistan’s contributions in addressing the fallout of US policies in the region, the statement emphasized Pakistan’s consistent efforts to engage constructively with the US on matters of security and stability. It underscored the need to build on the legacy of cooperation between the two nations.
The Foreign Office asserted that Pakistan’s strategic programme is essential to its national defence, enjoying wide political and social consensus. It rejected any external attempts to interfere with or undermine this capability under any pretext.
The statement concluded by calling for a balanced approach to regional security and reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to constructive dialogue with the US.
Earlier, Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer claimed that Pakistan’s development of long-range ballistic missile capabilities raises “serious questions” about the intentions of its programme. He suggested these advancements could potentially enable Pakistan to target areas beyond South Asia, including the United States.
On Wednesday, the US imposed sanctions on four Pakistani entities, citing their alleged involvement in advancing the country’s long-range missile development. The sanctions were implemented under Executive Order 13382, targeting proliferators of weapons of mass destruction.
Pakistan condemned the US decision, describing it as “unfortunate and biased.” The sanctions included the National Development Complex (NDC) and three commercial entities.
