US not to supply Pakistan with F-16 at the cost of its taxpayer’s money

The United States of America has made it clear to Pakistan that it will not supply it with F-16 planes with the US taxpayer’s money; if they wish to procure them, then they would have to pay the full price for it. An infuriated Pakistan has warned America that it would procure the fighter planes from other countries. At the same time, Sartaj Aziz, advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, is reported to have said that if the might of the Indian army is not controlled, then Pakistan too would have to enhance its defence capabilities.

President Barack Obama had started preparations for providing eight ‘F-16’ fighter planes to Pakistan, despite opposition from the US representatives. Not just that, Pakistan was to pay only USD 270 million for the planes, the price of which was USD 700 million. The balance amount of USD 430 million was to be treated as American aid to Pakistan. But, the matter was taken up very aggressively by the leaders of American Congress, who severely criticized Obama’s administration. They warned that Pakistan did not need the ‘F-16’ fighter planes in their fight against terrorism but only for use against India. Severely rebuking the Obama administration, the leaders of US Congress insisted that Pakistan should pay the full price for the fighter planes.

John Kirby, spokesperson of US State Departmetnt was quoted as saying, “…we cannot use the US taxpayer’s money to provide Pakistan with F-16 planes. Similarly, Bob Crocker, Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee of US Parliament has demanded that Pakistan take strict action against the ‘Haqqani Network’ of Taliban. US is giving clear indications to Pakistan that it will no longer be pampered if it does not comply with US’s demand, to which Pakistan has reacted very strongly.

Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan has stated that if America does not provide Pakistan with ‘F-16’ fighter planes, then they would go ahead and purchase them from other countries. Aziz also cleared saying that ‘JF-17 thunder’ fighter planes of Chinese design manufactured in Pakistan can be used if ‘F-16’ are not provided. At the same time Sartaj Aziz expressed his concern on the growing defence capacities of India. If the International community doesn’t put its efforts in time to control the growing defence capacities of India than it will shake the strategic balance in South Asia and Pakistan will have to take some policy decisions in order to increase its defence capacity, warned Aziz.