Pakistan will get fighter jets from elsewhere if funding not arranged: Sartaj

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said Tuesday that Pakistan requires F-16s fighter jets from Untied States for combating terrorism and the option of purchasing them from any other country would be considered if the issue of funding from the US was not resolved. Talking to reporters here at Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), the Adviser said that the US has given consent for the sale of F-16s fighter jets but the issue of finance is yet to be resolved.

“If funding is arranged, we will get the F-16s, otherwise we would consider it [purchasing the jets] from any other country,” he said, adding Pakistan valued the F-16s for their effectiveness, but they could be replaced by JF-17 Thunder jets in the ongoing counter terrorism campaign. Aziz said that the US gives $265 million as part of foreign military assistance to Pakistan.