Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch responds to revelations by a White House official regarding ‘emerging threat’

A senior White House official on Thursday said nuclear-armed Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets well beyond South Asia, making it an "emerging threat" to the United States.

US sanctions target Pakistan's missile program, raising tensions despite long-standing alliance and cooperation.

The U.S. is committed to maintain the global nonproliferation regime,” said Deputy Spokesperson Patel. “However, we have been clear and consistent about our concerns with Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Saturday dismissed as unfounded and "devoid of rationality" assertions by a senior U.S. official that its missile programme could eventually pose a threat to the United States.

Pakistan on Thursday denounced new US sanctions on the country’s ballistic missile program as “discriminatory” that put the region’s peace and security at risk.

Islamabad’s conduct raises questions about the aims of its ballistic missile programme, said a US official. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Pakistan dismissed the United States' claims that its missile program poses a threat beyond South Asia, including to the US, cautioning that such accusations damage bilateral ties. The country reiterated its right to develop defense capabilities while emphasizing its commitment to regional peace.