Salmon asked Olson to clarify the purpose and timing of the intended sale.
AB Wire
Top US Lawmakers have urged President Barack Obama to review the decision to sell General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to Pakistan. They expressed concern over the possibility of Pakistan using the fighter jets against India and not to fight terrorism as it has claimed.
“Many members of Congress, including me, seriously question the judgement and timing of such a sale. Additionally, Indo-Pak tensions remain elevated and some questions whether the F-16 could ultimately be used against India or other regional powers, rather than the terrorists as Pakistan asserted”, Republican representative for Arizona’s 5th congressional district Matt Salmon said during a congressional hearing on Wednesday.
Several other lawmakers also joined Salmon during the congressional hearing on Afghanistan and Pakistan for which Obama Administration was represented by Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Olson.
“We’ve got to be concerned what military assistance and whether the F-16’s constitute the least expensive, most efficient way for the Pakistani air force to go after the terrorists and the least disruptive weapon system to the balance of power between India and Pakistan. We need to offer to Pakistan those weapon systems well-crafted to go after terrorists and not crafted for a war with India”, Congress men Brad Sherman said.
The US has been planning to sell eight fighter jets worth $700 million to Pakistan, but the Senate has put a hold on the decision.
Salmon asked Olson to clarify the purpose and timing of the intended sale and how it is in the best interest of United States.
Olson reacted to the concerns raised by congressmen and said the sale will benefit the US as Pakistan will use the jets against terror organisations like Pakistani Taliban. He said the US has applauded Pakistan’s efforts against the domestic terrorism threat.
Obama administration’s decision to sell F-16 Fighting Falcon to Pakistan raised objections not only from India and US lawmakers but also by a former Pakistani ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani.
“Unless Pakistan Changes its worldview and its compulsive competition with its much larger neighbour, American weapons will end up being used to fight or menace India and perceived domestic enemies instead of being deployed against Jihadists,” Haqqani had said.