Pakistan’s International Ministry on Saturday dismissed as unfounded and “devoid of rationality” assertions by a senior U.S. official that its missile programme may ultimately pose a risk to the US.
Earlier this week, U.S. Deputy Nationwide Safety Adviser Jon Finer mentioned Pakistan’s improvement of long-range ballistic missiles made it an “rising risk”.
Finer’s feedback, which got here a day after Washington introduced a brand new spherical of sanctions associated to the ballistic missile programme, underscored the deterioration in once-close ties between Washington and Islamabad for the reason that 2021 U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Addressing Finer’s remarks, Pakistan’s International Ministry mentioned the notion of an alleged risk was “unlucky”.
“These allegations are unfounded, devoid of rationality and sense of historical past,” the ministry added in a press release.
The ministry mentioned its strategic capabilities had been solely for defending its sovereignty and sustaining regional stability, and shouldn’t be perceived as a risk to every other nation.
It additionally highlighted Pakistan’s lengthy historical past of cooperation with the U.S., significantly in counter-terrorism efforts, and reiterated its dedication to participating constructively on all points, together with regional safety and stability.
Relations between the US and Pakistan have seen vital ups and downs. The nations collaborated in the course of the Chilly Battle and within the combat in opposition to al Qaeda after 9/11.
Nonetheless, ties have been strained resulting from coups within the South Asian nation by Pakistan’s army, assist for the Taliban’s 1996-2001 rule in Afghanistan, and over the nuclear weapons programme.
This text was produced by Reuters information company. It has not been edited by World South World.
