US Intelligence Chief Claims Pakistan Missile Threat to US, Pakistan Refutes

How does AI · Pakistan’s defense strategy respond to international criticism?

【Global Times Special Correspondent Ren Zhong】According to Qatar’s Al Jazeera on the 19th, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Gabbard claimed that Pakistan’s missiles pose a threat to the United States, but this was rejected by Pakistan. On Wednesday, Gabbard submitted the “2026 Threat Assessment Report” to the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, stating that the increasingly developed missile capabilities of countries like Pakistan could eventually bring the U.S. mainland within their strike range. Gabbard said that the development of Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missiles could ultimately enable it to possess intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of striking the U.S. mainland.

The report states that Pakistan’s continuous development of increasingly sophisticated missile technology gives its military the ability to develop missile systems capable of targeting beyond South Asia. If this trend continues, Pakistan will also have intercontinental ballistic missiles that pose a threat to the United States.

On the 19th, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi responded, “Pakistan firmly opposes the claims by U.S. officials that Pakistan’s missile capabilities pose a potential threat. Pakistan’s missile range is far from intercontinental level, and its fundamental principle is a minimum deterrence strategy aimed at India.” He emphasized that Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are “completely defensive in nature,” aimed at defending national sovereignty and maintaining peace and stability in South Asia.

Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper on the 20th stated that Pakistan has no reason to attack the United States, and more precisely, no reason to attack any country outside South Asia. It is perplexing that a U.S. senior official would make such an assessment. No third party has the right to comment on how Pakistan should best protect itself and its interests, especially without any rational or reasonable evidence. Al Jazeera noted that Gabbard’s remarks mainly focus on the future potential of Pakistan’s missile program, rather than its current capabilities.