KARACHI (Reuters) – Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Saturday rejected a senior US official's assertions that its missile program could eventually pose a threat to the United States, describing them as baseless and “lacking rationality.”
Earlier this week, US Deputy National Security Advisor John Feiner said Pakistan's development of long-range ballistic missiles made it an “emerging threat.”
Viner's statements, which came a day after Washington announced a new round of sanctions related to the ballistic missile program, highlighted the deterioration of the once-close relations between Washington and Islamabad since the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2021.
In response to Viner's statements, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said that the perception of the alleged threat was “unfortunate.”
The ministry added in a statement that “these allegations are baseless and devoid of rationality and historical sense.”
The ministry said its strategic capabilities are only intended to defend its sovereignty and maintain regional stability, and should not be viewed as a threat to any other country.
He also highlighted Pakistan's long history of cooperation with the United States, especially in counter-terrorism efforts, and stressed its commitment to engage constructively on all issues, including regional security and stability.
Relations between the United States and Pakistan have witnessed major fluctuations. The countries cooperated during the Cold War and in the war against Al-Qaeda after the events of September 11.
However, relations have been strained by the Pakistani military's coups in the South Asian country, its support for Taliban rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, and by its nuclear weapons programme.