KARACHI (Reuters) – Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry rebuffed on Saturday assertions by a senior U.S. official that its missile programme could pose a threat to the United States, labeling the claims as baseless and lacking in logical reasoning.
Earlier this week, U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer remarked on Pakistan’s development of long-range ballistic missiles, characterizing it as an “emerging threat”. These comments were made following Washington’s announcement of new sanctions related to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme, underscoring the strained relationship between the two nations since the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
In response to Finer’s statements, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry expressed disappointment at the perception of a supposed threat. In a statement, the ministry asserted, “These allegations are unfounded, devoid of rationality and sense of history.”
The ministry clarified that Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are solely intended for safeguarding its sovereignty and promoting regional stability, emphasizing that they should not be interpreted as a threat to any other nation. Furthermore, the ministry highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding cooperation with the U.S., particularly in counter-terrorism endeavors, and reiterated its commitment to engaging constructively on various issues, including regional security and stability.
The relationship between the United States and Pakistan has experienced fluctuations over the years. The two nations collaborated during the Cold War and joined forces in combating al Qaeda post the 9/11 attacks. However, tensions have arisen due to factors such as military coups in Pakistan, support for the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, and concerns regarding Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme.
