ISLAMABAD: The United States’ recent sanctions targeting Pakistan’s missile program have raised eyebrows, with Pakistani officials dismissing Washington’s concerns as “absurd.” The sanctions, aimed at four entities including the National Development Complex (NDC), are centered on Pakistan’s development of long-range ballistic missiles, which the US claims could eventually pose a threat to the US itself.
This bold assertion came from Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer, who described Pakistan’s advancing missile technology as an “emerging threat” capable of striking targets beyond South Asia. Finer’s comments marked a significant shift in the US-Pakistan relationship, which has deteriorated since the 2021 US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. The US official specifically raised concerns over Pakistan’s growing missile capabilities, which he suggested could eventually target the US, a claim that has drawn sharp criticism from Islamabad.
Pakistani officials argue that their missile and nuclear programs are solely designed to counter India, with which it has fought three wars since 1947. “The notion that our missile program is a threat to the US is bizarre,” said one official, emphasizing that Pakistan’s long-range missiles, such as the Shaheen-III with a range of 2,750 km, are intended to overcome India’s defense systems, not to target far-off nations like the US.
Further fueling speculation, some observers suggest that the US is more concerned about Pakistan’s space program, which has dual-use technology that could be adapted for long-range missiles. However, Pakistani officials maintain that the country’s space efforts are focused on peaceful purposes, such as satellite launches, rather than military applications.
The US claims echo past tensions, such as the 1990s sanctions following the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan. Despite Washington’s repeated criticisms, Pakistani officials argue that these measures have done little to impact the country’s progress and will only further erode trust between the two nations.
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