Pakistan rejects US claims over missile program, calls it defensive

2026-03-20 - 06:09

Pakistan's government has pushed back against recent statements from a top US intelligence official, dismissing claims that its missile development program represents a growing threat to the United States. The rebuke from Islamabad came after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard named Pakistan alongside Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran as nations working on advanced missile delivery systems. In testimony delivered Wednesday before the US Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard asserted that these countries have been researching and developing a range of missile technologies—both nuclear and conventional—that could potentially place the American homeland within range. The inclusion of Pakistan in this list prompted an immediate response from Pakistani authorities. Islamabad: Program is 'Defensive' and Focused on India Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi clarified on Thursday that Pakistan's strategic capabilities are designed with a singular purpose: safeguarding national sovereignty and maintaining regional stability in South Asia. He emphasized that the country's missile program operates under the doctrine of credible minimum deterrence, which is specifically calibrated to address threats from neighboring India. "Our missile program, which remains well below intercontinental range, is firmly rooted in the doctrine of credible minimum deterrence vis-à-vis India," Andrabi stated. He pointed to India's own military advancements, noting that New Delhi's development of missiles with ranges exceeding 12,000 kilometers extends far beyond regional security needs and serves as a genuine cause for concern for its neighbors and the broader international community. Call for 'Factual Accuracy' in US-Pakistan Ties The diplomatic exchange underscores the delicate nature of US-Pakistan relations, which have fluctuated over decades. While Washington has at times relied on Islamabad for cooperation on regional issues, concerns over proliferation and strategic programs have periodically strained the partnership. Andrabi reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to constructive engagement with the United States, but stressed that such a relationship must be "anchored in mutual respect, discrimination, and factual accuracy." He urged American officials to adopt a more considered approach that aligns with the strategic realities of South Asia, ultimately aiming to advance peace, security, and stability across the region rather than inflaming tensions through what Islamabad views as mischaracterizations.