US National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard had described Pakistan’s missile program as a major potential threat to America. Now Pakistan has said that these are for national security.
Not only this, Pakistan took India’s name on this issue. Also claimed that India’s missile capabilities are a matter of real concern.
According to Geo TV report, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are completely defensive. Also stressed that their objective is to protect national sovereignty and maintain peace and stability in South Asia.
India started taking name
“On the contrary, India’s development of a missile with a range of more than 12,000 kilometers reflects a direction that extends far beyond regional security concerns,” Andrabi said, according to the report. This is certainly a matter of concern for the neighborhood (South Asia) and beyond.
He said that Pakistan is committed to a constructive engagement with America, based on mutual respect, non-discrimination and accuracy of facts.
Tulsi Gabbard had raised questions on Pakistan
Presenting the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment report before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard included Pakistan along with Russia, China, North Korea and Iran as countries that are rapidly developing missile systems and could be potential major threats to the US. He said, ‘Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan are researching and developing several innovative, advanced or conventional missile systems with nuclear and conventional payloads. These missiles can reach our own country.
“Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile development could potentially include ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles) that have the capability to strike our homeland,” the intelligence director said.
US intelligence officials said in the 34-page report that Pakistan was working on missile technology that would expand its ability to target areas beyond South Asia. The assessment warns that if current trends continue, Pakistan could develop intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the US.
Gabbard also noted Pakistan’s ties with terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Islamic State (IS) Khorasan, calling them a constant threat to US interests.