Rejecting Indian objections, the US will move forward with its intention to give Pakistan a $450 million F-16 sustainment package as the 30-day notice time has passed without any US Senate opposition.
On September 7, the State Department informed the US Congress of the Biden administration’s intention to sell Pakistan a $450 million F-16 sustainment package through the Foreign Military Sales Program.
According to Senator Robert Menendez, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, “the Congress has 30 calendar days after such notification to consider the transaction.”
It’s interesting to note that throughout the required 30-day notice period, none of the 100 Senators voiced any opposition to the proposed arrangement. The Pakistani government was accused by the Trump administration of giving refuge to the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network, which led to the blockade of military aid to Pakistan.
The F-16 fleet sustainment programme was approved for Pakistan by the Biden administration, which reversed the previous administration’s decision. India objected to the proposed transaction, but the US gave it no consideration.
