US Senate rejects move to block F-16 sale to Pakistan

Islamabad: A resolution moved in the US Senate intended to block F-16 aircraft sale to Pakistan has been rejected.

The rejection of the resolution would pave the way for the deal to go ahead, Radio Pakistan reported.

Republican Senator Rand Paul moved the resolution last month by invoking a legislation known as the Arms Export Control Act in a bid to stop the sale of F-16 jet fighters to Pakistan.

Commenting on the defeat of the resolution, Pakistan`s Ambassador to the US Jalil Abbas Jilani termed it the result of successful foreign policy being pursued by his government.

He said the sacrifices made by Pakistan`s security forces against extremism and terrorism was reflected through this bill.

The ambassador said the rejection of the resolution was also a manifestation of the strength of Pakistan-US relations.

Senator Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in his remarks said Pakistan needs to modernise its air force and its counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism activities, particularly in the mountainous territory of the border with Afghanistan.