Washington: Reacting to Pakistan's indication of getting the F-16s from other others if U.S. does not give it, Washington has said that it is up to Pakistan to decide how it wants to fulfill its defence needs.
"These are sovereign decisions that nations make with respect to their defense needs, and I wouldn't it's up for it's up to Pakistan to speak to how they'll fulfill their defense needs. As for the relationship, as I've said many, many times, it's an important one," US State Department spokesperson John Kirby said here in a press briefing.
"It's critical; it's vital in that particularly in that part of the world; and it's a relationship we have absolutely no intention of losing focus on or diminishing in any way. But these are obviously sovereign decisions that Pakistan has to make," he added.
Kirby's statement comes a day after Pakistan expressed disappointment over Congress' unwillingness to not fund F-16 sale to Islamabad. Following that Pakistan said that it may buy F-16 fighter jets from somewhere else if financing for the planes was not arranged by Washington.
One being asked about Pakistan's description of U.S. aid as 'peanuts', Kirby said, "I would just simply say that, again, it's an important relationship. We're going to continue to support that relationship," adding, " We are, we fully stand behind the kinds of support that we have provided Pakistan over the last many years with respect specifically to their counterterrorism capabilities and counterterrorism needs, and we're going to continue to look for ways to improve that cooperation as best we can."
Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday cautioned the United States that Islamabad would purchase the eight F-16s from other countries if it does not arrange funding.
The Barack Obama-led administration was to pay 430 million dollars in subsidy through the US foreign military financing budget for the fighter jets, while Islamabad was to pay 270 million dollars for the deal.
However, the US lawmakers during the congressional hearing last week said that they would not allow the Obama administration to use US funds for the deal.
The decision to cease the subsidy came after the hearing of a sub-committee on Asia and Pacific of the US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs where lawmakers accused Islamabad of not doing enough to fight militants.
It also raised objections of using American taxpayers' money to fund the sale with concerns that jets could be used against India.
