Pakistan needs F-16s from U.S. for counter-terrorist ops: officialMarch 1, 2016 - 13:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Pakistan said Monday, February 29 at the start of talks with the United States that a contentious sale of F-16 fighter jets would strengthen the South Asian nation's ability to mount counter-terrorist operations and promote regional stability, the Associated Press reports. The U.S. government this month approved the sale of the aircraft, radar and electronic warfare equipment to Pakistan in a deal worth nearly $700 million. Neighboring India, a historic rival of Pakistan, opposes the sale, which has also drawn criticism from some U.S. lawmakers. Congress could potentially block the deal although such action is rare. Pakistani Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz said he appreciated the U.S. leadership's public assessment that Pakistan uses F-16s effectively against terrorists. Secretary of State John Kerry last week told a House committee that Pakistan's existing fleet of F-16s have been critical for its counter-terrorism fight on the western border with Afghanistan. But Aziz urged the Obama administration to do more "to bring Congress fully in the picture about the positive steps taken by Pakistan to further our mutual interests and the very significant change in ground realities that has taken place in the past two-and-a-half years." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |