Islamabad, December 21, 2024: Pakistan has strongly dismissed concerns raised by a senior US official over its missile capabilities, labeling the allegations as unfounded and detrimental to bilateral ties.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability, reiterating that its strategic programme is defensive in nature. It condemned the US official’s remarks made at a think tank event, describing the threat perception as irrational and lacking historical context.
In an official statement, the ministry highlighted the long-standing positive relationship between Pakistan and the United States, established in 1954. It cautioned that baseless accusations against Pakistan, a major non-NATO ally, risk undermining this broad-ranging partnership, particularly in the absence of credible evidence.
The ministry clarified that Pakistan’s missile programme is designed to ensure its sovereignty and maintain peace in South Asia. It stressed that the programme adheres to the principle of credible minimum deterrence and is not aimed at any specific country, including the US.
The spokesperson also criticised what they described as selective scrutiny by the US, noting that concerns about Pakistan’s missile capabilities overlook more significant developments in the region.
The statement further emphasized Pakistan’s sacrifices and contributions to regional stability, particularly in addressing the consequences of US policies in South Asia. It called for constructive engagement between the two countries, urging Washington to focus on strengthening cooperation rather than fostering distrust.
The Foreign Office underscored that Pakistan’s strategic programme enjoys broad political and societal support and rejected any attempts to interfere with its national defence under any pretext.
In conclusion, the ministry urged a balanced and equitable approach to security in the region while reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to fostering constructive dialogue with the US.
Earlier, Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer claimed that Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that could potentially target regions outside South Asia, including the United States.
The US also imposed sanctions on four Pakistani entities, citing their alleged involvement in advancing the country’s missile programme. A statement from the State Department read, “In light of the continuing proliferation threat of Pakistan’s long-range missile development, the United States is designating four entities for sanctions pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.”
Pakistan condemned the sanctions, calling them “unfortunate and biased.” The entities targeted include the National Development Complex (NDC) and three commercial organisations.
The Foreign Office expressed disappointment over these measures, calling them counterproductive to fostering trust and cooperation between the two nations.
