WASHINGTON: The US State Department said on Thursday that the F-16 programme was an important part of the broader United States- Pakistan bilateral relationship, as the US Senate didn’t expostulate the proposed $450 million deal with Islamabad.
“The proposed trade will sustain Pakistan’s capability to meet current and unborn counterterrorism pitfalls by maintaining its F- 16 line,” a State Department functionary told Dawn. The proposed trade would also “ensure Pakistan retains interoperability with the US and mate forces in ongoing counterterrorism sweats and in medication for unborn contingency operations,” the US functionary added.
The transnational media reported on Wednesday that the United States was all set to give a $450 million F-16 sustainment package to Pakistan as “there has been no expostulation to the deal from the Senate within the obligatory 30-day notice period”.
On Sept 7, the State Department notified the US Congress — through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee — about the Biden Administration’s decision to offer this deal to Pakistan under the Foreign Military Deals( FMS) programme.
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“Upon the similar announcement, the Congress has 30 timetable days during which the trade may be reviewed,” Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator Robert Menendez told the Senate days latterly on Sept 13.
Politic sources in Washington told Dawn that Congress “does not need to take action to appreciatively authorize” a proposed deal. After the completion of the obligatory 30-day period, the deal would be considered approved, the sources said.
The coming step is for Pakistan to conclude a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the US Department of Defence. However, it generally results in the US Department of Defence issuing a contract several months latterly, If and/or when an agreement is concluded. The delivery timeline for the deal is determined by both governments.
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