New York: The United States is preparing to sell eight new F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, senior American officials have said.
According to the New York Times, the step is seen as ‘overturn intended’ to boost and strengthen the partnership between the two nations despite concerns over Islamabad’s links with Taliban elements and its expanding nuclear arsenal.
However it is not clear whether the proposal will be announced during Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s ongoing visit to the United States.
It is unclear whether the U.S. Congress will approve for the proposal as many fears that the F-16 jets could be useful for Pakistan for its long confrontation with India, other than for counter terrorism.
Pakistan presently has more than 70 F-16s and dozens of French and Chinese attack aircraft(ANI)