PHOTO: PPI
The US Senate on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to quash an effort to block the $700 million sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.
US lawmakers voted 71 to 24 against moving to a vote on a Resolution of Disapproval introduced by Republican Senator Rand Paul. Had the motion been carried, it would have prevented the sale under legislation known as the Arms Control Act.
President Barack Obama’s administration announced on February 12 that it had approved the sale to Pakistan of the aircraft, as well as radars and other equipment -- subject to endorsement from the US Congress.
The announcement drew immediate criticism from India and concern from some members of Congress. Paul had called Pakistan “an uncertain ally” and other lawmakers expressed concerns about Pakistan’s nuclear program, commitment to fighting terrorist organizations and cooperation in the Afghanistan peace process. Some other lawmakers supported the sale but objected to US subsidising the sale while using tax-payers dollars.
However, they generally supported the sale, saying that Pakistan needs to modernise its air force and counter-terrorism activities.
Pakistan welcomed the vote, terming it a reflection of the strength Pakistan-US relations.
“US Senate’s vote to kill resolution disapproving sale of F-16s is recognition of Pakistan’s role in counter-terrorism, peace and regional stability,” Pakistan’s embassy in Washington said.
“The vote reflects the strength of Pakistan-US relations, the partnership is critical for regional security. Pakistan will remain a committed partner,” the embassy stated in a tweet.
Ambassador Jalil Jilani welcomed efforts of US Senator Ben Cardin for “recognising Pakistan’s huge sacrifices against terrorism.”
Earlier, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker had notified the Obama administration that he would not approve using US funds to pay for the planes through the foreign military financing (FMF) programme.
“I may reconsider my blanket hold on US FMF assistance should the Pakistanis make progress on addressing my significant concerns about their support for the Haqqani network, but for now, if they wish to purchase this military equipment, they will do so without a subsidy from the American taxpayer,” he wrote in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry in early February.
But after the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified lawmakers it had cleared the sale, US Armed Service’s Committee chair Senator John McCain sought a hearing on the sale as he criticised the its timing and potential consequences for US relations with India.
“I would rather have seen it kicked over into the next administration,” McCain said.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 11th, 2016.
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