ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday its missile program is defensive in nature and remains well below intercontinental range, responding to remarks by a senior US intelligence official who warned Islamabad could develop long-range missiles capable of reaching the United States.
The comments came after US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers that Pakistan could potentially develop intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) with the capability to strike the US homeland, placing it alongside countries such as China, Russia, North Korea and Iran in Washington’s threat assessment.
“Pakistan categorically rejects the recent assertion by a United States official alleging a potential threat from Pakistan’s missile capabilities,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said in statement issued after a media query.
Andrabi maintained Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are designed to safeguard its sovereignty in the region.
“Its missile program, which remains well below intercontinental range, is firmly rooted in the doctrine of credible minimum deterrence vis-à-vis India,” he added.
