WASHINGTON, July 22: The proposed $5.1 billion US arms package for Pakistan, which also includes 36 F-16 aircraft, will get congressional approval soon. US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher told reporters.

Talking to journalists after a congressional hearing on the proposed deal, Mr Boucher said he had no doubts that the lawmakers would approve the deal despite the objections they expressed during the meeting.

In a written testimony submitted to the House International Relations Committee, Mr Boucher said the deal would send “a clear and concrete signal” to all Pakistanis that Pakistan’s security was “important to the United States.”

He said Pakistan was ‘a key country’ and ‘a strategic partner’ in South Asia —- a region of critical importance to the US and “one of our highest priorities” in the war on terror.”