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US Congress stalls F-16 sale to Pakistan

Can Obama Administration undo the hold?

  • Yes

    Votes: 53 52.0%
  • No

    Votes: 33 32.4%
  • Don't Know

    Votes: 16 15.7%

  • Total voters
    102
F-16 sale delayed in US Congress - Newspaper - DAWN.COM
WASHINGTON: The US Congress has stalled a planned sale of eight new F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, although the Obama administration is still trying to undo the hold, congressional and diplomatic sources told Dawn.

The hold reflects the growing anti-Pakistan sentiments on Capitol Hill where it is now a routine to see strong attacks on Pakistan and its policies during congressional hearings.

Lawmakers used clarification and information notices to delay the sale. The administration also received a “hold” notice from the Senate, using this legislative process to delay floor action on the proposed sale to Pakistan.

The hold, however, does not kill the measure and it can still go through if the administration continues to push for it. Sources on the Hill say that since the Obama administration is keen on selling these aircraft to Pakistan, it may ultimately succeed in undoing the hold.

At recent congressional hearings, key US lawmakers raised a host of questions about the end use of the F-16 aircraft and about the US relationship with Pakistan.

“I don’t know how an F-16, with all of its hardware on there for combat can be used for humanitarian aid. If they were buying C-130s … I could see those being used for humanitarian aid. But F-16! It’s not really humanitarian aid,” said Congressman Ted Poe. “Those F-16s and the military equipment that we are providing Pakistan are being used against their own people, just like they did against the people over there in Bangladesh,” said Congressman Dan Rohrabacher.

Both lawmakers belong to a growing lobby in Congress which not only oppose arms sales to Pakistan but often urge the US administration to sever its ties with the country. Usually, such lawmakers are also active in the Indian caucus on Capitol Hill.

Pakistan does have a caucus on the Hill but it is small and ineffective. The Indian caucus, however, has grown gradually in size and influence and is now the second most effective lobby after Israel’s.

Diplomatic sources acknowledged that lawmakers had placed a hold on the proposed sale. They said the Obama administration ‘informally’ notified Congress of its intention to sell eight F-16s to Pakistan during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Washington last October.

The administration followed it up with a formal notification of “foreign military financing” to fund the sale in early December. The next, and final, stage would have been a formal notification of sale. But this process has been stalled by lawmakers, using clarifications notifications and at least on legislative hold placed by a Democratic senator.

Explore: Pakistan in talks with US to procure latest F-16 jets: Air chief

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2016
Indian lobby performing well, let see if Obama neutralize them or no...eventually, after hard bargain they will be released.Indian always play double game. Friend on your face, but pull your leg when they get chance.....well, name of the game

I think its otherwise. With Pakistan and China becoming partners in various fields, US needs some other country to hamper Chinese influence in the region.
Don t underestimate US financial might.
 
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Pakistan need US,and US need Pakistan but there is difference in both needs.
 
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All America want to safe Pakistan nuclear asset from extremist. Otherwise, don t see any US interest in Pakistan.
Where US army fail in its object in the world wide Pakistan Arm replace its position such as Afghanistan and now in Syria.
 
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Thanks to corrupt & incompetent politicians in Pakistan India & their lobbies are able to act with ease against Pakistan. If Pakistan does not get F16's, no problem they should go forward & purchase SU35 from Russia.

As Russia & Indian ties fall in rapid pace, Pakistan should take full advantage of the situation & fix ties with Russia.
 
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Is this a nursery rhyme you guys get to memorize in school ?
CSF is gonna end in 1-2 years, US has no intentions of doing any investment in Pakistan and now they are hesitating of selling defence related products to Pakistan, so what is left for Pakistan that can benefit them but US intends to stay in this region for the forseable future(Have you seen the size of embassy the US is building in Islamabad) and which they cant achieve without Pakistan help.
 
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Thanks to corrupt & incompetent politicians in Pakistan India & their lobbies are able to act with ease against Pakistan. If Pakistan does not get F16's, no problem they should go forward & purchase SU35 from Russia.

As Russia & Indian ties fall in rapid pace, Pakistan should take full advantage of the situation & fix ties with Russia.
Su35 was Russian trap for India. Russia end up cutting 6 billion dollar defence deal with India. Russian mission accomplished.
 
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Su35 was Russian trap for India. Russia end up cutting 6 billion dollar defence deal with India. Russian mission accomplished.

What mission? India still does not know what to do & whom to go for.
 
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They may ask something in return from Pakistan before letting loose the F-16's.
 
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What mission? India still does not know what to do & whom to go for.
India is trying to have military build to match China. That s the reason its on shopping spree, like crazy. Majority of Indian defense weapon obsolete already.Plus, India is trying to prep itself for two fronts. And its very expensive and urgent.

They may ask something in return from Pakistan before letting loose the F-16's.
everything has a price...
 
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here is USA back in 1989 . lolzzz but this time pakistan is not that pakistan take back your f-16 we have so many alternatives .
 
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As a matter of fact this is just a routine matter. No sale ever has sailed through Congress smoothly as there are paid lobbies of the concerned parties involved. Same questions were asked when sale of F-16 Block-52 and AH-1s was okayed and same question would be asked in future too. But in the end the sale is finalized and deliveries made. So just chill and wait.
 
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here is USA back in 1989 . lolzzz but this time pakistan is not that pakistan take back your f-16 we have so many alternatives .

in 1990's and after that, the only new type of induction was chinese F-7 and now JF-17.

Almost impossible to see new western birds in PAF colours.

everything has a price...

I am hoping its got nothing to with pathankot drama and west waiting for pakistan response
 
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Su35 was Russian trap for India. Russia end up cutting 6 billion dollar defence deal with India. Russian mission accomplished.
What quite misinformed and kiddish analysis
 
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