In a major blow, the Obama administration on Monday rejected any subsidy for Pakistan to buy the eight F-16 fighter jets. The United States has asked Pakistan to "put forward" its "national funds" for purchase of F-16s. The development happened after some of the top American Senators have put a hold on use of the US tax payers' money for this purpose.
"While Congress has approved the sale, key members have made it clear that they object to using FMF (foreign military financing) to support it. Given Congressional objections, we have told the Pakistanis that they should put forward national funds for that purpose," US State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters at his daily news conference.
Pakistan can still buy them, but have to pay $699.04 million, according to a Pentagon notice of sale to Congress, requesting 42% subsidy that would have been around $13 million.
On February 11, the state department had informed the Congress about its determination to sell eight fighter jets to Pakistan at an estimated cost of USD 700 million. The move was opposed by the Indian government and it summoned the US ambassador to India, Richard Verma, to lodge its protest.
Top American lawmakers led by Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has put a hold on the sale arguing that it would not let the Obama administration to use tax payers' money for the sale of the fighter jets to Pakistan. They argued that Islamabad is not taking enough action against terrorist organisations, in particular against the Haqqani network, and that there continue to be terrorist safe havens in Pakistan.
Top American lawmakers, during a Congressional hearing had openly told the Obama administration that they fear Pakistan would be using these F-16 fighter jets against India and not against terrorists.
The Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and the Pakistan government insisted that F-16 is an important tool in the fight against terrorism and urged the Congress to remove the hold. The lawmakers stood their ground and insisted the Obama administration that it will not, till the time Pakistan takes tangible action against the Haqqani network.
"Effective engagement with Pakistan, we believe, is critical to promoting the consolidation of democratic institutions and economic stability in supporting the government's counterterrorism activities and capabilities," Kirby said.
By Premji
