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
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.
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.