WASHINGTON, July 22: Co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India has introduced a joint resolution in the House of Representatives disapproving the proposed sale of F-16 fighter jets and other weapons to Pakistan in a $5.1 billion arms deal.
The resolution, introduced on Friday, has been referred to the House Committee on International Relations which on Thursday upbraided the Bush administration.
Although the proposed sale was severely criticised at a committee hearing on Thursday, the administration is confident the deal will get congressional approval by July 28.
Congressman Gary Ackerman introduced the resolution despite assurances from Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs John Hillen that members’ concerns about leakage of technology from Pakistan were being addressed by ‘an extraordinary security plan’ imposed on the planes and components, and accepted by the Pakistan Air Force.
