Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile
Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile program is an "emerging threat" to the United States.
White House Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer stated this at an event organized by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank. He further said, "These long-range missiles are capable of striking targets beyond Asia, and if Pakistan's current trajectory continues, they could eventually reach the United States."
He further commented, "Simply put, it is difficult for us to view Pakistan's actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States."Exactly one day before the White House official's comments, the United States imposed sanctions on Pakistan's ballistic missile program. In this context, the United States has imposed sanctions on Pakistan's National Development Complex (NDC) and related institutions involved in the missile program.
The purpose of these measures is to prevent Pakistan from acquiring the necessary components and technology for the development of its Shaheen-series ballistic missiles.
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned these sanctions as biased and harmful to regional peace and stability. They stated that Pakistan's strategic capabilities are developed solely for the purpose of national defense and maintaining regional balance, and called on the United States to adopt a more fair perspective.
Source: RR/SCB (AFP, AP, Reuters)