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Former Pakistani Ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, has warned the US against its deal to sell F-16s to Pakistan.In a prepared remark submitted ahead of a Congressional hearing on 'Civil Nuclear Cooperation with Pakistan: Prospects and Consequences to the Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee of the Committee on Foreign Affairs', Haqqani said Pakistan would use such fighter jets against India and not against terrorists.
"The Obama administration's consideration of a nuclear deal with Pakistan, just like its decision a few months ago to sell almost USD 1 billion in US-made attack helicopters, missiles and other equipment to Pakistan will fuel conflict in South Asia without fulfilling the objective of helping the country fight Islamist extremists or limit its nuclear arsenal," said Haqqani.
Haqqani told Congress that Islamabad’s failure to tackle its jihadist challenge is not the result of a lack of arms but reflects an absence of will.
"Unless Pakistan changes its worldview and its compulsive competition with its much larger neighbour even in violation of international commitments, American weapons will end up being used to fight or menace India and perceived domestic enemies instead of being deployed against jihadists," he said.
"By aiding Pakistan over the years-- some USD 40 billion since 1950, according to the Congressional Research Service --the US has fed Pakistan's delusion of being India's regional military equal. Seeking security against a much larger neighbour is a rational objective but seeking parity with it on a constant basis is not," he said.
(Image: Reuters)