US Calls ‘Ally’ Pakistan’s Missile Program ‘Emerging Threat’, Islamabad Slams ‘Biased’ Sanctions

A senior White House official has termed Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program an “emerging threat” to the US. The White House deputy National Security Adviser’s remarks underscored how far the once-close ties between Washington and Islamabad have deteriorated since the 2021 fall of Afghanistan government. Jon Finer also raised questions about whether Pakistan has shifted the objectives of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.If those trends continue, Finer said, “Pakistan will have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the US.” “It’s hard for us to see Pakistan’s actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the US,” the US official added.His remarks came a day after Washington announced a new round of sanctions related to Pakistan’s ballistic missile development program. The new US sanctions for the first time targeted a Pakistan state-run defence agency that oversees the program.n18oc_world n18oc_crux0:00 INTRODUCTION3:28 PAKISTAN SLAMS US SANCTIONS AS ‘DISCRIMINATORY’