Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Former president Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday expressed concerns over the US refusal to finance the sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan.

Last week, the US Congress declined to finance the sale of F-16 precision strike aircraft to the Pakistani military by withholding the Foreign Military Funds.

“The fact that we have not received the US funding for this important programme is very concerning and needs to be addressed,” the Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman said in a statement.

Zardari said that he supported the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets so that the Pakistani military could increase its precision strike efforts against terrorists. “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 added.

Zardari said that the security relationship between the United States and Pakistan had always been a high priority of the Pakistani government regardless of which party had been in power. “I was proud of the relationship my government had with the United States 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 United States,” Zardari said.

“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 national goals are achieved,” he added. 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.