Pakistan Rejects US Allegations on Long-Range Missile Capabilities as “Unfounded and Illogical”
Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: Pakistan on Saturday strongly rejected allegations from a senior US official that its long-range missiles could potentially strike targets in the United States, calling the claims “unfounded, devoid of rationality and sense of history.”
The Foreign Office issued a statement reiterating that Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are solely designed to defend its sovereignty and maintain peace and stability in South Asia. The statement referred to the longstanding positive relationship between Pakistan and the United States since 1954, describing the US official’s comments as unfortunate and lacking any basis in fact.
The remarks came from Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer, who, without providing any evidence, stated at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Thursday that Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that could potentially pose a threat to the United States, labeling Pakistan as an “emerging threat.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Office clarified that its strategic program is intended to deter and defend against an existential threat from its immediate neighborhood, specifically referring to its defense posture in the face of regional security challenges. “Such irrational assumptions of hostile intent from Pakistan by any other country, including the US, are perplexing as well as illogical,” the statement added.
The Foreign Office also reminded the United States of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to its strategic program, which has the full backing of the nation’s political and social spectrum. Pakistan emphasized that any foreign intrusion into its defense matters, in any form, is not only impossible but also inadmissible.
Furthermore, Pakistan warned that continuing baseless allegations without evidence would be detrimental to the bilateral relationship. “Pakistan has never had any ill-intention towards the US, and this fundamental reality remains unchanged,” the statement asserted, also highlighting Pakistan’s sacrifices in supporting the US during its involvement in Afghanistan.
While addressing the concerns raised by the US, Pakistan pointed out the paradox in these allegations, particularly when more potent missile capabilities in its eastern neighborhood, referencing India, are ignored. “Concerns on Pakistani capabilities are raised seemingly at the behest of others, further destabilizing the already fragile regional strategic stability,” the Foreign Office noted.
Pakistan reiterated that its strategic capabilities are developed solely to protect its sovereignty and ensure regional peace and stability. It also emphasized the right of every nation to maintain credible deterrence in the face of evolving threats.
Looking to the future of Pak-US relations, Pakistan reiterated its desire for a constructive and balanced approach to security and stability in the region, building on the long-standing history of cooperation between the two countries.
