Two US resolutions disapprove F-16s sale to Pakistan

Senators, Congressmen move anti-sale resolutions; Pak Embassy says notification to Congress clearly articulates reasons for the deal

WASHINGTON: High ranking US Congress members have intensified their opposition to the administration's proposed F-16s deal with Pakistan. At least two different resolutions, sponsored and signed by Congressmen and senators, were introduced on Thursday expressing their disapproval of the deal.

Republican Senator Rand Paul introduced a joint resolution in the Senate opposing the sale.  "The US and Pakistani relationship has been a troubled one," he said in a statement adding that the Government of Pakistan has been considered America's ally but the country's behavior suggests otherwise. 

"While we give them billions of dollars in aid, we are simultaneously aware of their intelligence and military apparatus assisting the Afghan Taliban," he accused. This resolution, however, was assigned to a congressional committee which will consider it before possibly sending it on to the House or the Senate as a whole.

Similarly, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats, tabled a joint resolution as well.  Rohrabacher brought up two issues, Balochistan and Dr Shakeel Afridi, in his statement. 

"The Government of Pakistan has been using weapons from the United States to repress its own citizens and especially the people of Balochistan." The Government of Pakistan arrested Dr Shakil Afridi and continues to hold him in a cage. That arrest was a declaration of hostility toward the United States." 

He insisted that the US should not provide military equipment to Pakistan. Meanwhile, Congressman Eliott Engel, Ranking Member of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, questioned Secretary of State John Kerry on the deal. 

Secretary Kerry was testifying before the Committee on his annual budgetary proposals.  Engel said, "I'm concerned that Pakistan continues to play a double game, fighting terrorism that has a direct impact inside the country, and supporting it in places like India and Afghanistan where it believes such a policy furthers national interests."

The embassy of Pakistan reacting to the move hoped that the sale will go through.  The embassy spokesperson says the administration has articulated reasons for the prospective sale. 

"The US administration has notified the US Congress of its determination to sell F-16s to Pakistan. The public notification clearly articulates the reasons for the prospective sale," the statement issued by the embassy read.

It also emphasised that the deal will strengthen Pakistan's counterterrorism capacity.  "We appreciate the public assessment of the US leaders  in response to Congressional enquiries that Pakistan has used F-16s effectively against terrorists and the subject sale is also intended to strengthen Pakistan's capacity to continue the on-going operations.

The sale will help strengthen Pakistan's CT capacity under an mutually agreed defence cooperation framework," the embassy spokesperson said.