ISLAMABAD – Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday expressed his concerns over the United States decision regarding not to support the sale of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan.
Last week the US Congress declined to support the sale of F-16 precision strike aircraft to the Pakistan military by withholding the use of Foreign Military Funds for financing the deal. “The fact that we have not received the US funding support for this important programme is very concerning and needs to be addressed”, Zardari said in a statement.
Zardari said that he supports the acquisition of F-16 jet fighters so that “our military can increase their precision strike efforts against the threat of terrorists’ activity”. “The military has improved its ability to combat terror and should have the tools it needs to continue to advance against those who want to harm our people” he said.
He said that the security relationship between the US and Pakistan has always been a high priority to the Pakistani government regardless of which party has been in power. “I was proud of the relationship my government had with the US and felt our strategic security interests were aligned, I offer my full support to Pakistan toward renewing a more positive and constructive relationship with the US” Zardari maintained.
“Throughout my public life I have developed strong relationships in Washington with lawmakers and influencers and I commit my network to helping to ensure that our nations goals are achieved”, he said. Although the Obama administration has supported the sale of jets to Pakistan issues have been raised in the US Congress that resulted in the vote last week to stop the deal.
PM’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has cautioned Washington that Pakistan will acquire jets from elsewhere if the US does not arrange funding for a previously agreed upon F-16 fighter jet sale, as both countries lock horns over the purchase of the fighter planes. “If funding is arranged, Pakistan will get the F-16s, otherwise we will opt for jets from some other place,” he said.
