World

US Senate committee chairman questions Pakistan F-16 deal

Lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale and Corker has made clear he has doubts about it

Reuters February 24, 2016

Republican Senator Bob Corker. PHOTO SOURCE: CNN

WASHINGTON: The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday sharply questioned US plans to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, questioning Pakistani actions he described as threatening US troops as they try to stabilise Afghanistan.

"They continue to support the Taliban, the Haqqani network and give safe haven to al Qaeda," Republican Senator Bob Corker said to Secretary of State John Kerry, who was testifying to the committee about the State Department's annual budget request.

Note to US: Pakistan’s insatiable appetite for F-16s

The US government said on February 12 it had approved the sale to Pakistan of up to eight F-16 fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp, radar and other equipment in a deal valued at $699 million.

Lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale and Corker has made clear he has doubts about it.

Kerry responded that the issue is complicated and said Pakistan also has been an ally.

US lawmaker blocks sale of subsidised F-16s to Pakistan

"I understand your reservations about it but their military has been deeply engaged in the fight against terrorism," he said.

COMMENTS (14)

Naim Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Mr Bob Croker are you dum or you just playing stupid, Pakistan fought 10 rears with Russia during Cold War, did India fight for you? Stop playing games.

Fahim | 8 years ago | Reply @PashtunZalmi: China have bought debts of USA about 4.2 Trillion dollars, if any such crisis comes then Pakistan have its own room

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Pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply Doesn't matter to Pakistan.The money to pay for the F-16s is coming from the US itself.

Shahid Akram | 8 years ago | Reply Better is to stop this deal. We will be really thankful to you.

PashtunZalmi | 8 years ago | Reply it is not the F-16s but the blockage which delivers a very strong message. If it comes to blockage, US can simply ask IMF & other financial institutions to stop serving Pakistan. We will not be able to fly any plan at all if that happens let alone thinking of buying SU-35s.

irfan | 8 years ago | Reply When Pakistan bought Mi-35 and Z-10 , USA approved Bell Viper attack helicopter sale and all reservations and concerns of US lawmakers were gone . If Pakistan decide to buy Su-35 , again these US hypocrites Lawmakers concern will over and they will approve F-16 sale.

ghazal | 8 years ago | Reply @Mirza: ya, USA is begging each and every time, since last 65 years to give you aid. nothing can have more truth than that.

ghazal | 8 years ago | Reply @Point: had USA left Afghanistan then, Pakistan would have been without knees

Mirza | 8 years ago | Reply Buy Su-35 and i am sure then they will beg us to buy.

PakPower | 8 years ago | Reply This isn't Bob Corker speaking, it is the money of the Indian lobby that is speaking. Regardless, US knows that they have to remain on the right side of Pakistan so I highly doubt that this deal would fall through.

Hamdani | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan will continue to do what's in the best interest. US can keep its pointing finger and blame games to itself. And keep in mind that Afghanistan is the graveyard of Empires. Do not instigate Pakistan, remember you need this country more than it needs you, if you want your superpower status to survive.

Point | 8 years ago | Reply Dear Mr.Bob if Pakistan wasn't there today Russia would have been ruling Afghanistan. If Pakistan had not taken step forward, today Afghanistan would have been a worse nightmare for you people. I guess you forgot that 1 month oil blockade which brought you to knees in Afghanistan a few years back.

Rollin & Trollin | 8 years ago | Reply @Fahim: Correct; F-16s been the bane of PAF existence time and time again, always this or that string attached. Better to use the 'ejector seat' and delink from the US, especially when there is talk of these planes being manufactured next door.

Fahim | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan must go for su-35 or J-31

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