Ballistic Missile Programme
The U.S. government took a cautious stance regarding Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme on Thursday, following concerns raised by a senior White House official about Pakistan’s potential to develop missile capabilities capable of targeting locations in the United States.
At a press briefing, Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder refrained from directly criticizing Pakistan’s missile programme or the sanctions imposed on the country’s missile development agency and three private vendors.
Ryder acknowledged Pakistan’s importance as a regional partner, emphasizing the value of past cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistan in counterterrorism efforts.
He highlighted the long-standing relationship between the Pentagon and the Pakistani military, underlining that the U.S. continues to view Pakistan as a key partner in the region.
However, when pressed about specific comments on Pakistan’s missile advancements or the newly imposed sanctions, Ryder chose to redirect those questions to other U.S. agencies, refusing to provide additional details or clarification on the matter.
The cautious tone of the Pentagon was echoed by Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer, who expressed growing concerns about Pakistan’s ballistic missile developments during an event at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Finer acknowledged that advancements in missile technology could potentially expand Pakistan’s reach beyond South Asia, raising alarms in Washington. “It’s difficult for us to view Pakistan’s actions as anything but an emerging threat,” Finer stated, reflecting the growing unease within the U.S. government regarding Pakistan’s missile capabilities.
This assessment follows recent U.S. sanctions imposed by the State Department on four Pakistani entities that were accused of contributing to Pakistan’s missile development programme.
These sanctions are part of the U.S. effort to curb the expansion of missile technology that could increase security risks in the region and beyond.
While the U.S. government continues to express concerns, the cautious approach indicates a balancing act between addressing security risks posed by Pakistan’s missile programme and maintaining a strategic partnership with the country in regional counterterrorism operations.
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