Pak working on long-range nuclear ballistic missile that can reach US: Report
The Pakistani military is secretively developing a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could reach the United States, according to intelligence agencies in Washington. The report by 'Foreign Affairs' comes amid reports that Pakistan was looking to upgrade its nuclear arsenal with support from China after India's Operation Sindoor.The report, quoting US officials, said if Pakistan goes on to acquire such a missile, Washington would designate the country as a nuclear adversary.advertisementAny nation possessing nuclear weapons that is considered a potential threat or opponent of the US is seen as a nuclear adversary. Presently, Russia, China and North Korea are considered adversarial to the US.
"If Pakistan acquires an ICBM, Washington will have no choice but to treat the country as a nuclear adversary. No other country with ICBMs that can target the United States is considered a friend," the report quoted US officials as saying.PAKISTAN NUCLEAR ARSENALPakistan has always claimed that its nuclear program was strictly focused on deterring India. Its policy has been focused on developing short- and medium-range missiles.Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), which can be armed with both nuclear and conventional warheads, are capable of hitting targets over 5,500 km. Presently, Pakistan has no ICBMs.In 2022, Pakistan tested the surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile Shaheen-III, which can hit targets over 2,700 km, bringing a number of Indian cities under its range.advertisementIn developing an intercontinental ballistic missile, Pakistan might be looking to deter the US from trying to eliminate its nuclear arsenal in case of a preventive attack, and also prevent it from intervening on India's behalf if both the neighbouring countries clash again.US SANCTIONSThe issue is being viewed with concern by the US. Last year, Washington imposed fresh sanctions related to Pakistan's long-range ballistic-missile program.The sanctions were slapped on the National Development Complex, the state-owned defence agency overseeing the missile program, and three other firms. It froze any US property belonging to the entities and barred American firms from doing business with them.While Pakistan called the move "biased", the US action was based on a State Department factsheet that said Islamabad sought to obtain components for its long-range ballistic-missile program.Pakistan, which possesses around 170 nuclear warheads, is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The treaty is aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy.OPERATION SINDOORThe fresh development comes after the latest World Threat Assessment report by the US said Pakistan, rattled by India's Operation Sindoor, was obtaining materials and technology for developing weapons of mass destruction from China.advertisementDuring last month's hostilities, India destroyed nine terror camps and targeted 11 vital airbases deep inside Pakistan.There were reports that Pakistan fired Fatah-II, a hypersonic ballistic missile, towards India. However, the missile was intercepted by India's robust air defence systems.Since then, several ministers, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, have urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. Rajnath Singh has asserted that Pakistan could be trusted with such weapons.- EndsTune InMust Watch
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Guyana had organised the open debate on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC). He said the world had not forgotten the savage targeted attacks by Pakistan and Pakistan-trained terrorists killing 26 tourists in Pahalgam on April 22. The Security Council had issued a press statement on April 25 which underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act accountable and bring them to justice. He said India had undertaken non-escalatory, proportionate and focused attacks that targeted nine terrorist infrastructure sites on the May 7 in response through Operation Sindoor. ''The terrorists killed in these attacks were given state funerals by Pakistan. And yet, they try to preach others,'' Ambassador Harish said. Pointing out that the Secretary General's report on CAAC provides details of serious violations against children in armed conflict in Pakistan, he said the Secretary General had expressed concern at the rise in such grave violations reported including attacks against schools, particularly girls' schools, against health workers, and about the incidents in the border areas with Afghanistan where a series of killing and maiming of Afghan children was directly attributed to cross border shelling and air strikes by Pakistani armed forces. The Pakistan army also deliberately shelled India's border villages in May, killing and injuring a number of civilians. ''To preach at this body after such behaviour is grossly hypocritical.'' Ambassador Harish reaffirmed India's stand that the ''entire union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India irrespective of the frequent and incessant spate of lies and falsehoods by Pakistan.'' He said the world is witnessing an alarming escalation in conflicts and terrorist attacks and children are their most unfortunate casualties. As per UNSG's report, grave violations against children have surged 25 percent, while sexual violence has risen 35 percent in 2024 —a sobering indictment that demands immediate and decisive action. Creating an enabling environment for holistic development of children is fundamental for child protection. Their safety, nutrition and education should be prioritised at national and household levels. Children in conflict and post-conflict situations, however, require specialised attention and psycho-social support for their successful reintegration into society. Thus, sustained efforts by the state are required to build these essential ecosystems. He said India leads by example and has taken several steps to protect children and aid their growth and development. India established the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in 2007 to ensure that all laws, policies, programmes and administrative systems conform to the vision of the rights of the child as enunciated in the Constitution of India as well as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Mission Vatsalya Scheme is a flagship child welfare and protection initiative aimed at ensuring the safety, protection and holistic development of children, especially those in vulnerable situations. "India also undertakes periodic and comprehensive awareness campaigns including among security personnel on child protection and child rights. Another concrete step is incorporating child protection provisions into the standard operating procedures of security personnel. 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