US asks Pakistan to make full payment for F-16

United States has informed Pakistan it will have to finance the purchase of US F-16 fighter jets itself after members of the US Congress objected to the use of government funds to pay for them. 

The US government had said in February it had approved the sale to Pakistan of upto eight F-16 fighter jets as well as radar and other equipment in an agreement valued at 699 million US dollars. 

US State Department spokesman



John Kirby said congressional opposition meant funds from the US government's Foreign Military Financing allocation could not be used to purchase the aircraft. 

Kirby said the State Department opposed putting conditions on the use of such funds and believed that effective engagement with Pakistan, including by supporting its counter-terrorism effort, was critical to promoting democracy and economic stability in the country.