Islamabad’s conduct raises questions about the aims of its ballistic missile programme, said a US official. Read more at straitstimes.com.

There was no immediate official reaction to the latest claims by the US official. However, privately officials strongly dismissed the US concerns as "absurd". One official explained that Pakistan's nuclear and missile programs were only aimed at thwarting India.

A senior White House official on Thursday said nuclear-armed Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets well beyond South Asia, making it an "emerging threat" to the United States.

The U.S. has voiced deep concerns over Pakistan's missile technology, which could soon pose a direct threat to U.S. security. Senior White House official Jon Finer highlighted the risks associated with Pakistan's missile programme,

The United States has raised concerns about Pakistan’s missile development program, claiming that the country may be building long-range missiles capable of striking targets far beyond South Asia, possibly even in the United States.

Pakistan is continuing the development of long-range ballistic missile capabilities, which could enable the country to strike targets far beyond South Asia. This makes Pakistan a new threat to the US,

US Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said the missile programme could allow Pakistan to strike targets "well beyond South Asia, including in the US".