Pakistan’s missile capabilities have drawn attention from the United States, with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard highlighting concerns about Pakistan’s advancements that could potentially threaten the US. Despite Pakistan’s claims of defensive strategic capabilities aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty, the US notes the country’s development of novel missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads.
The gap between Pakistan’s stated doctrine of ‘credible deterrence’ and its actual activities is evident, especially with advancements like the Shaheen-III missile, boasting a range of nearly 2,750 kilometers. Disinfo Lab researchers have pointed out Pakistan’s history of developing Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and its pursuit of longer-range delivery systems, raising questions about the country’s true intentions.
Pakistan’s missile and nuclear programs, often linked to the network run by Abdul Qadeer Khan, continue to be a subject of scrutiny. The involvement of state-linked entities like the National Development Complex (NDC) and AERO, Pakistan’s military procurement arm, in acquiring sensitive components, including from Chinese firms, has led to multiple rounds of US sanctions targeting entities associated with Pakistan’s missile program.
The expansion of covert procurement routes, opaque channels, and ongoing program advancements in Pakistan’s weapons program have raised alarms in the US. Despite Pakistan’s portrayal of its nuclear arsenal as a regional defensive shield, concerns persist about the country’s illegal expansion of missile and nuclear capabilities, prompting experts to question the narrative of minimum deterrence.
