Resolution against sale of F-16 jets to Pak introduced in US House

Washington: A joint resolution seeking to block the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan has been introduced in the US Congress.

The resolution (SJ Res 30), introduced by former Republican presidential candidate Senator Rand Paul on February 24, calls for prohibiting sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, which the State Department had recently notified to the Congress.

The resolution also calls for prohibiting sale to Pakistan other military hardware, including eight Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites and 14 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems.

Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has put a hold on the sale of F-16s to Pakistan.

The Obama administration is hopeful that it would be able to overcome legislative challenges to proceed with the sale of the F-16s, which it promised to Pakistan several years ago. (ANI)