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Pakistan has dismissed concerns raised by a senior US official about its missile program, calling the allegations baseless and harmful to their bilateral relationship.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Pakistan’s missile capabilities are entirely defensive and aimed at maintaining regional peace and security. The Ministry also criticized the US official’s statement, calling the allegations illogical and lacking historical context.
In its official response, the Ministry reiterated the longstanding positive relationship between Pakistan and the United States, which dates back to 1954. It warned that such unfounded claims could jeopardize this partnership, especially in the absence of any credible evidence.
The statement emphasized that Pakistan’s missile program is designed to protect its sovereignty and ensure peace in South Asia. The country reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining credible minimum deterrence to address evolving security threats and highlighted that these capabilities should not be seen as a threat to any other country, including the US.
The Foreign Office also pointed out the inconsistency in US concerns, arguing that attention to Pakistan’s missile program overlooks more advanced missile capabilities in the region. It stressed Pakistan’s sacrifices in coping with the consequences of US policies in the region and reiterated the country’s desire to engage constructively with the US on matters of security and stability.
Pakistan’s Ministry reaffirmed that its strategic program has strong support across the political and social spectrum within the country and rejected any attempts to interfere with or undermine it. The statement concluded by calling for a balanced approach to security in the region and encouraging continued dialogue with the US.
Earlier, a senior US official had expressed concerns that Pakistan’s missile capabilities, particularly its long-range ballistic missiles, could pose a threat beyond South Asia, including to the United States. The US also imposed sanctions on four Pakistani entities involved in Pakistan’s long-range missile program, a move that Pakistan condemned as biased.
