Pak slams US official over allegations on missile capabilities

Pakistan on Saturday condemned remarks made by a US official regarding its missile capabilities, calling the allegations “unfounded” and “unhelpful” for the bilateral relationship. The Foreign Office termed the claims raised by US Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer as “unfortunate,” warning that such accusations towards a major non-NATO ally would harm the overall ties between the two nations.

In response to media queries on Finer’s remarks, Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a statement saying, “The alleged threat perception from Pakistan’s missile capabilities and delivery means, raised by the US official, are unfortunate. These allegations are unfounded, devoid of rationality and sense of history.” The statement emphasised that Pakistan and the US have maintained a positive and broad-ranging relationship since 1954, and cautioned that the recent spate of allegations would be detrimental to that relationship, especially in the absence of any credible evidence.

“Pakistan has never had any ill-intention towards the US in any form or manner, and this fundamental reality has not changed. On the contrary, Pakistan has made monumental sacrifices for this relationship and continues to suffer hugely in sustaining the onslaught of the aftermath of US policies in the region,” it said.

It is regrettable that the US official alluded to bracketing Pakistan with those who are perceived to be in an adversarial relationship with the US, the statement added.