3 April, 2005	Sunday	23 Safar 1426

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LAHORE, April 2: Pakistan should not buy the F-16 fighter jets from the United States and, instead, use the money to eradicate poverty, disease and ignorance, a central leader of the Awami National Party says.

ANP Secretary-General Ehsan Wyne said in a press statement here on Saturday the fighter planes would not strengthen the country’s defence, as neighbouring India was already equipped with the latest weapons and had been offered F-18s.

In fact, he said, the US wanted to build up India as a military power against China, and Pakistan was being pressganged into the arms race.

Mr Wyne said the planes had been offered at a time when relations between India and Pakistan were improving and people had started hoping that all outstanding disputes, including that of Kashmir, would be settled through bilateral talks.

The ANP leader said the F-16s deal, if made, would be a burden on the country’s economy. In his opinion, Pakistan should not buy the fighter jets even if India went ahead.

He warned if the government used its resources on defence, it would not be able to combat terrorism, sectarianism, drugs and other menaces rampant in society.

He regretted that under the US pressure both India and Pakistan were dragging their feet from the Iran gas pipeline deal.