The Biden administration has now reportedly announced that Pakistan is in the process of developing a long-range ballistic missile that could ultimately equip the nuclear-armed nation of Islamabad with a weapon capable of striking the United States.
U.S. officials stated that the administration disclosed intelligence regarding Pakistan’s clandestine missile activities and implemented sanctions against a state-owned entity that was involved in the project after unsuccessful attempts to address its concerns through confidential channels.
The White House warning emphasized the escalating rift between Washington and Islamabad, which was previously regarded as a critical U.S. partner in South Asia and designated as a “major non-NATO ally” by the George W. Bush administration two decades ago.
The recently disclosed intelligence indicates that Pakistan is making efforts to broaden the scope of its missile force, which includes the development of apparatus to test large rocket motors, according to officials.
A senior Biden administration official stated that the production of a long-range missile capable of targeting the United States would require several years, and could potentially extend to a decade.
China, which also regards India as an adversary, has provided the Pakistani military with munitions and assistance for its missile program.
Pakistan has maintained a close military relationship with China for an extended period.
Finer stated that the United States is currently in pursuit of a collaborative relationship with Pakistan and has collaborated with Islamabad on counterterrorism initiatives in the past.
The United States has endeavored to maintain communication channels, in part due to Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and its strategic location in the region, despite fluctuations in relations.
Islamabad has become less significant to Washington since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, as a result of the U.S. emphasis on countering China and enhancing relations with India in recent years.
The military’s long-standing influence has been a significant factor in the country’s transition to an increasingly authoritarian state under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
There is a perception that Islamabad’s nuclear program is directed at India, which is also a nuclear-armed power and has engaged in three significant conflicts with it since 1947.
The decision to disclose U.S. intelligence at the conclusion of President Biden’s term effectively transfers the responsibility to President-elect Trump, who reduced security assistance to Pakistan during his first term and urged it to adopt a more aggressive approach to terror networks operating within its borders.
Finer addressed an event organized by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Arms Control Association.
Other senior administration officials characterized his remarks as part of a more extensive diplomatic initiative to coerce Pakistan into discontinuing the program.
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