US official warns of Pakistan’s growing missile capabilities as emerging threat to Homeland Security

Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said Islamabad's conduct raised "real questions" about the aims of its ballistic missile program

PGurus Newsdesk

December 20, 2024

Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said Islamabad's conduct raised "real questions" about the aims of its ballistic missile program

Pakistan developing missiles that eventually could hit US: Top US official

A senior White House official has raised alarms about Pakistan‘s growing long-range ballistic missile capabilities, warning that they could eventually pose a threat to the United States. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer revealed that Pakistan’s missile advancements might enable the country to target locations well beyond South Asia, marking what he termed an “emerging threat” to US security.

This statement highlights the deterioration of US-Pakistan relations since the 2021 US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and raises questions about the shifting focus of Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs. Traditionally aimed at countering India, these programs could now potentially be redirected to target the United States.

Speaking at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Finer noted that Pakistan is advancing its missile technology, including developing larger rocket motors for long-range ballistic missile systems. He warned that if these trends continue, Pakistan could soon possess the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the US.

Finer pointed out that only a few nuclear-armed nations, such as Russia, North Korea, and China, have missile systems capable of reaching the US, and they are considered adversaries. “Given the developments in Pakistan, it’s hard to see their actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States,” Finer stated.

This development comes amid heightened US concern over Pakistan’s missile program, especially following new sanctions imposed on Pakistan’s state-run defense agency overseeing missile development. The US has long expressed concerns about the increasing power of Pakistan’s rocket engines, which could enable the development of even more sophisticated ballistic missiles.

Despite US sanctions and repeated diplomatic calls for Pakistan to clarify its missile development intentions, Pakistani officials have not acknowledged US concerns. Some Pakistani officials have implied that US sanctions are an attempt to weaken Pakistan’s ability to defend itself against India.

Finer’s comments underscore a significant shift in US policy, as Washington questions Pakistan’s motivations for expanding its missile capabilities. Despite historic ties as counter-terrorism allies, the US now finds itself increasingly wary of Pakistan’s missile ambitions, especially as Pakistan strengthens its military and economic partnerships with China.

In 1998, Pakistan conducted its first nuclear test, joining India in the nuclear arms race. Today, Pakistan is estimated to have around 170 nuclear warheads, and its ballistic missile capabilities continue to grow, drawing concerns from both the US and its allies.

While US-Pakistani relations have fluctuated, Pakistan has remained a key player in the region, particularly as a counter-terrorism partner. However, the growing threat posed by its nuclear and missile programs, especially in light of its closer ties with China, has raised serious questions about the future trajectory of US-Pakistan relations.

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