ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) has firmly dismissed recent comments by US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who suggested that Pakistan’s missile technology could pose a threat to the United States.
In an official statement, FO Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi clarified that Pakistan’s strategic missile program is solely for defensive purposes, designed to protect the nation’s sovereignty and ensure regional stability.
Responding to media inquiries about Gabbard’s remarks, Andrabi reiterated that Pakistan’s missile capabilities are confined to a credible minimum deterrence posture, primarily aimed at India. He emphasized that Pakistan’s missile range remains well below intercontinental levels.
Gabbard, in her recent testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, had warned that Pakistan’s evolving long-range missile development might include intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the US. She also listed Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea as countries advancing missile systems with both nuclear and conventional warheads, increasing the threat landscape for the US.
The FO spokesperson pointed out that while Pakistan’s missile program is focused on regional security, India’s development of missiles exceeding 12,000 kilometers signals a trajectory that extends beyond regional concerns, posing broader security challenges.
He further emphasized Pakistan’s desire to maintain constructive engagement with the US, based on mutual respect, factual accuracy, and non-discrimination.
