Iran Press/Asia: Reacting to Washington’s recent stance, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif declared that Islamabad would not scale back its missile development efforts, stressing the critical importance of maintaining the country’s defensive capabilities. “Pakistan’s missile programs are non-negotiable, and any compromise would equate to enmity with the nation,” he remarked.
Asif highlighted that Pakistan’s defense capabilities are purely for self-defense, with no intention of aggression against other nations. He argued that global developments, particularly Israel’s aggressive actions against Iran, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon, necessitate continuous upgrades to Pakistan’s defense systems to align with emerging regional threats.
In a related statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry responded to comments by the U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor criticizing Islamabad’s missile program. It reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining minimum credible deterrence against overt and covert threats. “Pakistan’s strategic and defense programs belong to its people, and the country will never relinquish its right to safeguard its sovereignty,” the ministry’s statement read.
Pakistan’s missile and nuclear capabilities have long been a point of contention with international powers. Islamabad conducted its first nuclear tests in 1998 in response to India’s nuclear capabilities and has since developed a robust arsenal of nuclear-capable missiles to ensure its defense posture remains uncompromised.
Amid increasing geopolitical tensions, Pakistan remains steadfast in its stance to protect its strategic programs, underscoring its sovereignty and commitment to regional stability.
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