US ready to approve F16 deal: Pakistan

Islamabad, July 10 (UNI) Pakistan today said the US has assured Islamabad of approval of a deal involving delivery of some 36 F-16 multirole fighter aircraft to its air force.

''The US administration has assured Pakistan to make best efforts for approval of the deal,'' Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tasneem Aslam told a weekly press briefing here.

She said that under the US procedure, the administration is required to notify the sale of F-16 (to Pakistan) to the Congress for approval, which is to take a decision on the matter within 30 days.

Regarding reported concern expressed by the US congress about possible transfer of F-16s technology to any third country by Pakistan, she said as per standard practice, a safety clause to this effect is always a part of such agreements.

''We do not do that (transfer of technology),'' Ms Aslam said adding that once the approval stage is reached, the government would give commitment in an appropriate language to this effect.

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