PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN
Pakistan on Thursday confirmed that it would be procuring US military equipment to meet its increasing critical defense needs.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam, at a weekly news briefing in Islamabad said the proposed military equipment would also help us in the campaign against terrorism.
She further added that the US State department had notified the congress about the proposed sale of military equipment to Pakistan and expressed confidence that the final clearance will come through soon.
Read: US State Department approves Pakistan's request for arms worth $1b
On Monday, the DSCA said the State Department had approved a potential $952 million sale to Pakistan of 15 Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, 32 General Electric helicopter engines and 1,000 Hellfire missiles.
The potential deal with Pakistan also could include target sight systems, mission computers, global positioning navigation systems, radar warning receivers and other gear. DSCA said the sale would further provide Pakistan "with military capabilities in support of its counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations."
The notification from the US State Department was welcomed and termed by the spokesperson as a recognition of Pakistan's needs in counter-terrorism operations.
With Iran's foreign minister's visit to Pakistan today and talks still underway about Pakistan's involvement in the Saudi-led conflict in Yemen, she said that Pakistan wanted an early end of war in the conflict-ridden state. In this regard Pakistan is in touch with different Islamic countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran.
Read: Iranian foreign minister meets PM Nawaz to discuss Yemen crisis
She said there was a complete consensus within Pakistan that in any case of threat to the holiest sites in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan would be the first country to come forward for their defense.
She added that Saudi Arabia is a fraternal country and any threat to its territorial integrity and sovereignty will evoke a strong response from Pakistan.
It was clarified that the visit of the the Iranian foreign minister's to Pakistan was scheduled before the crisis in Yemen.
He said both Pakistan and Iran have agreed to encourage the warring factions in Yemen to move towards dialogue for de-escalation of situation.
She further affirmed that Pakistan has repeatedly condemned the actions of non-state actors who overthrew a legitimate government of Yemen recognised by the international community and the United Nations.
With a large number of Pakistanis having been evacuated from Yemen, Aslam confirmed that majority of them had been evacuated while others were still there and did not want to leave Yemen.
Read: Yemen crisis: PIA flight lands in Sanaa to evacuate 174 stranded Pakistanis
Following the killing of eight Iranian border guards, the spokesperson said Pakistan asked Iran to share the evidence or intelligence that the culprits of the incident have entered Pakistani territory. She assured that strict action will be taken if the culprits were found on Pakistani soil.
Read: Pak-Iran border: Eight Iranian border guards killed
With Pakistan still awaiting the visit of the Chines president to Pakistan, the spokesperson said he would visit Pakistan this month, with dates not yet finalised.
She termed Pakistan and China as strategic partners and all weather friends. Such high level exchanges are aimed at further strengthening and cementing the bilateral relations.
Read: Xi Jinping to make first state visit to Pakistan soon, says Chinese foreign minister
The spokesperson informed that Islamabad remained committed to result oriented, meaningful and sustainable dialogue process with New Delhi for resolution of all outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir, when commenting on relations with India.
Concluding, she spoke on the recent banning of the Al Furqan foundation by the US and said the US proscribed the entity under its domestic laws and it has duly informed Pakistan about its action.
This briefing originally appeared on Radio Pakistan
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