US National Security Advisor: Pakistan Developing Missiles Capable of Targeting Beyond South Asia, Including the US
Washington:The US Deputy National Security Advisor has raised concerns about Pakistan’s development of long-range ballistic missiles, warning that these weapons could potentially target not only South Asia but also the United States.
In a speech at a recent event, John Finer, the US Deputy National Security Advisor, stated that Pakistan, armed with nuclear weapons, is developing ballistic missiles with the capability to reach beyond South Asia, including the US. He emphasized that these developments raise serious questions about the true objectives of Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
Finer further expressed that, in clear terms, Pakistan’s actions can be seen as an emerging threat to the United States. He said that Pakistan has developed missile systems capable of launching long-range missiles, along with rocket motors that enable it to conduct large-scale tests. If this trend continues, Pakistan could acquire the capability to target areas far beyond South Asia, including the US.
**US State Department Raises Concerns over Pakistan’s Ballistic Missile Program**
Meanwhile, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel reiterated America’s commitment to maintaining global non-proliferation systems in a recent press briefing. He acknowledged Pakistan as an important partner but expressed clear concerns regarding its ballistic missile program. Patel emphasized that the US has a longstanding policy of opposing support for Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile capabilities.
These statements come at a time when the US recently imposed sanctions on four Pakistani entities for their alleged involvement in the development of long-range ballistic missile technology. According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, these Pakistani entities have reportedly contributed to advancing Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
The Pakistani entities affected by the sanctions include the National Development Complex (NDC) in Islamabad, and three organizations based in Karachi: Akhtar & Sons, Affiliates International, and Roksid Enterprises.
**Pakistan Reacts to US Sanctions on Ballistic Missile Program**
In response to the new US sanctions, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the decision biased and counterproductive. A spokesperson for the Ministry stated that the sanctions were unfair and detrimental to regional and global security, asserting that Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are aimed at maintaining peace and stability in South Asia.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch expressed that the US’s decision to impose sanctions was discriminatory and posed a threat to regional and global security. She emphasized that these actions deviate from the goal of promoting peace and security, and instead, they aim to escalate military imbalances in the region.
Baloch further noted that such policies carry dangerous implications for strategic stability, both within the region and beyond. She reaffirmed that Pakistan’s strategic program is a vital safeguard for its national security and regional peace.
The ongoing tensions between the US and Pakistan regarding missile technology development underscore the broader geopolitical dynamics in South Asia, with both sides positioning their strategies for maintaining security and influence in the region.
