The Foreign Ministry has strongly dismissed recent comments by a senior US official regarding the country’s missile capabilities, labelling the allegations as baseless and devoid of historical context.
In a statement issued in response to media queries, the Foreign Office spokesperson expressed regret over the remarks, describing them as unhelpful for the longstanding, positive, and broad-ranging Pakistan-US relationship.
The spokesperson emphasised that Pakistan’s strategic program is solely defensive, aimed at preserving sovereignty and maintaining peace in South Asia.
'Unfounded allegations'
"The alleged threat perception from Pakistan’s missile capabilities and delivery means, raised by the US official are unfortunate. These allegations are unfounded, devoid of rationality and sense of history," the FO statement said. It highlighted that Pakistan, a major non-NATO ally, has never harboured ill intentions toward the US and called for a balanced understanding of the country’s strategic objectives.
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“Concerns over Pakistan’s capabilities appear to be raised at the behest of others, while more potent missile developments in our eastern neighbourhood are ignored,” the statement read, referring to India’s growing arsenal.
Defence of strategic program
The Foreign Office reiterated that Pakistan’s strategic program is designed to ensure credible minimum deterrence and respond to evolving regional threats. It noted that Pakistani leadership has consistently engaged with the US since 2012 to address any concerns, but the recent allegations risk undermining trust.
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“Our strategic program reflects the profound commitment of the Pakistani people and the country’s defence priorities. Any attempt to intrude into it is neither thinkable nor possible,” the spokesperson said, adding that the country’s political and social spectrum unanimously supports this resolve.
Call for constructive engagement
Pakistan expressed disappointment over being compared to countries perceived as adversaries of the US and stressed the importance of building on the positive history of Pakistan-US relations, which began in 1954.
Highlighting Pakistan’s sacrifices in regional stability, the statement underscored the need for constructive dialogue and a balanced approach to security issues. “Pakistan has always sought cooperative engagement with the US and hopes to strengthen this legacy,” it concluded.
