Pay in full for F-16s: US to Pak

Washington/Islamabad, May 3

The $700 million F-16 fighter jet deal seems to have hit turbulence with the US telling Pakistan it will have to finance the purchase of fighter jets itself after members of the US Congress objected to using government funds to pay for them. Pakistan, however, said it will buy jets from other countries if the US fails to provide agreed funds.

The US has asked Pakistan to “put forward” its “national funds” to buy eight F-16 fighter jets after some top American Senators put a hold on the use of taxpayers’ money to partially finance them. Pakistan has time till May-end to avail the American offer to procure F-16s.

“While the Congress has approved the sale, key members have made clear that they object to using FMF (foreign military financing) to support it. Given Congressional objections, we have told the Pakistanis that they should put forward national funds for that purpose,” said US State Department spokesman John Kirby on Monday. Kirby, however, did not say when this decision was taken and when was it communicated to Pakistan.

Pakistan Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, however, said the Congressional blockade might force it to turn to other countries. “Pakistan will buy F-16s from some other country if funding (from US) is not arranged,” Aziz said at a seminar.

On February 11, the State Department had informed the Congress about its determination for selling eight F-16s to Pakistan at an estimated cost of $700 million. The move was opposed by the Indian Government, which summoned US Ambassador to India Richard Verma to lodge its protest.

US top American lawmakers led by Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, put a hold on the sale arguing that it would not let the Obama administration use taxpayers’ money for sale of the fighter jets to Pakistan given that Islamabad was not taking enough action against terrorist organisations, in particular the Haqqani network. — Agencies

Can’t use taxpayers’ money: US Congress

• Under the $700 m deal, Pakistan was to pay $270 m from its national funds to buy eight F-16s built by American firm Lockheed Martin Corp, while the US was to fund the rest from its Foreign Military Financing (FMF) fund
• The US Congress, however, refused to approve funding using taxpayers’ money, leaving the deal in limbo, as cash-starved Pakistan may not be able to make the entire payment
• Last week, top American lawmakers during a congressional hearing told the Obama administration they feared Pakistan will use the F-16s against India and not against terrorists

India’s military growth ‘worrisome’

Adviser to Pak PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday expressed concern over India’s growing military power. He said if India’s growing military power was not checked, Pakistan would be “forced to increase its strategic power” too. “The international community should avoid steps which may disturb the strategic balance in South Asia,” Aziz warned — IANS