ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday vehemently dismissed claims by a senior United States intelligence official suggesting that the country’s missile capabilities could pose a threat to the United States, calling into question the basis and timing of such assertions. In response to media queries, Foreign Office Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan’s strategic arsenal was “exclusively defensive in nature,” designed to safeguard national sovereignty and promote peace and stability in South Asia. The remarks came after US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, presenting the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment to the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, named Pakistan among nations that could pose a significant threat to the US homeland due to their missile developments. READ MORE: Pakistan among five nations flagged as US threats Gabbard told lawmakers that Pakistan’s missile technology had the potential to reach US territory. Speaking to the media, Andrabi emphasised that Pakistan’s missile programme remained “well below intercontinental range” and was firmly rooted in a doctrine of credible minimum deterrence with respect to India. He contrasted Pakistan’s policy with India’s missile development trajectory, noting that New Delhi’s programmes exceed 12,000 kilometres and “extend beyond regional security considerations,” posing concerns for the wider neighbourhood. The spokesperson further highlighted that Pakistan remained committed to constructive engagement with the United States, anchored in “mutual respect, non-discrimination and factual accuracy.” He urged Washington to adopt a “more measured and considered approach” that reflected the strategic imperatives of South Asia and promoted peace, security, and stability across the region. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026