ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Saturday responded to White House official who termed Pakistan as an “emerging threat” to Washington due to the development of nuclear armed long-range ballistic missiles.
As the US sanctions and shocking statements stirred new controversy, Pakistan strongly denounced recent claims made by a senior US official concerning the country’s missile capabilities and delivery systems, calling the claims “unfounded” and “illogical.”
In a statement, MoFA spokesperson expressed regret over US official’s remarks, stating that the accusations were devoid of rationality and historical context. It said Pakistan and the US enjoyed positive and broad-ranging relationship since 1954.
Pakistan has never had any hostile intentions toward the US and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to peaceful relations, it said, Pakistan also made monumental sacrifices for this relationship and continues to suffer from the repercussions of US policies in the region,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also pointed out the inconsistency in the US official’s remarks, highlighting the far stronger missile capabilities of Pakistan’s eastern neighbor. “Concerns about Pakistan’s capabilities appear to be influenced by external forces, further destabilizing an already fragile regional strategic balance,” the statement reads.
Foreign Affairs stressed that country’s strategic capabilities are solely for the defense of its sovereignty and to ensure peace and stability in South Asia. “Pakistan will not relinquish its right to develop its defense capabilities in response to evolving threats,” the spokesperson said.
The statement further clarified that Islamabad’s strategic program is specifically aimed at addressing existential security concerns from its neighbor and is not directed at any other country, including the US. Ministry also rejected any “irrational assumption” of hostile intent toward the US, calling it “illogical and perplexing.”
The spokesperson made it clear that any attempts to interfere with it would be unacceptable. “There is unshakeable resolve and complete consensus across Pakistan’s political and social spectrum on this matter,” the statement added.
Pakistan reiterated its desire to engage constructively with the US on regional security issues and emphasized the importance of pursuing a balanced approach to stability in the region, with a focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation.
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