Pakistan on Thursday firmly rejected allegations made by the US Director of National Intelligence about its missile capabilities, calling them "unfounded" and reiterating that its strategic program is solely defensive in nature. US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had listed Pakistan among states that pose a significant threat to the United States, warning US lawmakers that Islamabad’s evolving missile capabilities could potentially put the US homeland within its reach. Responding to media questions, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan’s missile capabilities are designed to safeguard national sovereignty and ensure peace and stability in South Asia. He emphasized that Pakistan’s missile program remains within regional parameters and is guided by the doctrine of credible minimum deterrence, particularly in relation to India. The spokesperson highlighted that, unlike Pakistan, India has developed missile systems with ranges exceeding 12,000 kilometers, describing this trajectory as extending beyond regional security needs and raising concerns for the broader international community. Rejecting the claim of any potential threat posed by Pakistan, Andrabi underlined that the country’s strategic stance is responsible and restrained, aimed at maintaining a balance of power in the region. He further stated that Pakistan remains committed to constructive engagement with the United States, highlighting the need for mutual respect, non-discrimination and factual accuracy in bilateral discourse. The spokesperson urged a more measured and informed approach to South Asia’s strategic environment, noting that such an approach is essential to promoting lasting peace, security and stability in the region. Earlier on Thursday, former acting foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani had also dismissed Gabbard’s statement. In a post in X, the former chancellor maintained that the claim that the "US homeland within range of Pakistan’s nuclear/counter missiles not based on strategic reality". He said Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine was "Specifically for India, aimed at maintaining credible deterrence in South Asia, not projecting power globally.". On Wednesday, Gabbard, presenting the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment to the US Senate Intelligence Committee, said: "Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan have been researching and developing a number of novel, advanced or traditional missile launch systems with nuclear and conventional payloads, putting our Homeland within range."
"Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile development could include ICBMs with a range capable of reaching the Homeland." she said. Gabbard said the nations identified in the threat assessment report "They will likely seek to understand US plans for advanced missile defense… in order to shape their own missile development programs and assess US deterrence intentions."
He said the intelligence community expects a sharp increase in missile threats over the next decade. "Threats to the Homeland will collectively expand to more than 16,000 missiles by 2035, from the currently assessed figure of more than 3,000 missiles."
