WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Senior officials said the White House has expressed concerns that Pakistan is working on a long-range missile that could hit the United States. That warning came in a Tuesday briefing where U.S. intelligence flagged advancements in Pakistan’s missile program that might pose new strategic risks to U.S. national security.
A White House spokesperson speaking on condition of anonymity says that Pakistan’s missile program is “well beyond” its previous capabilities and has now reached intercontinental ambitions. “We have intelligence that indicates Pakistan is working on long-range missiles that could potentially target the U.S. mainland,” he said. The development marks a significant escalation of the country’s military capability.
Pakistan has been known to maintain short- and medium-range ballistic missiles as part of its defense strategy for some time, mainly focused on regional tensions with India. This is the first instance that Pakistan has been found linked with the development of ICBMs that carry nuclear warheads over extensive distances.
The White House did not say exactly how far Pakistan’s missile development has been going, but it acknowledged that U.S. defense agencies are closely monitoring the situation. The White House is said to be working with international partners to get more intelligence and to find out the full scope of Pakistan’s missile ambitions.
“We urge restraint and call for dialogue to avoid any escalation in regional or global tensions,” said the spokesperson, adding that the U.S. was reaching out to allies in the region and beyond to coordinate a unified response. “Diplomatic solutions will be pursued,” he emphasized, “and military confrontation will be a last resort.”.
Pakistan’s government has not reacted to the claims of the White House so far. Islamabad has always justified the development of missiles as an essential tool for maintaining deterrence, especially considering that the country has been engaged in a long-standing rivalry with India. Both nations have nuclear weapons and have fought several wars since the independence of Pakistan in 1947.
Experts believe that if Pakistan is moving toward the development of long-range missiles, it may alter the strategic balance in South Asia and prompt other global powers to respond. Neighbouring India, which too has a well-developed missile program, may be motivated to advance its arsenal further.
The U.S. has had a complex relationship with Pakistan for decades, as it has been an important ally in the war against terrorism, but also faced criticism over its nuclear weapons program and for being the nation where the U.S. found and killed 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.
