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US ignores ‘strong’ Indian objections over Pakistan’s F-16 package

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  • State Dept notifies Congress about Pakistan’s F-16 programme.
  • Ned Price says Pakistan important counterterrorism partner.
  • India “protested” over proposed sale of F-16 parts to Pakistan.

WASHINGTON: The Biden administration has ignored the “strong objections” raised by India over the proposed foreign military sale of $450 million to Pakistan to sustain the Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 programme and notified Congress in this regard.

Last week, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification of this possible sale, angering India who raised the matter during meetings with US official Donald Lu in New Delhi, according to a report by The Hindu.

The publication stated that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs “protested” against the sale of spares of the jet to Pakistan despite the DSCA’s clarification that “the proposed sale does not include any new capabilities, weapons, or munitions” and it “will not alter the basic military balance in the region”.

While responding to a question in this regard, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said, “well, we did recently notify Congress of a proposed foreign military sale valued at $450 million for maintenance and sustainment services for the Pakistani Air Force’s F-16 programme.”

The US official stressed that Pakistan is an important partner in a number of regards and an important counterterrorism partner.

“And as part of our longstanding policy, we provide life cycle maintenance and sustainment packages for US-origin platforms,” he said.

“Pakistan’s F-16 programme, it’s an important part of the broader US-Pakistan bilateral relationship, and this proposed sale will sustain Pakistan’s capability to meet current and future counterterrorism threats by maintaining the F-16 fleet. This is a fleet that allows Pakistan to support counterterrorism operations, and we expect Pakistan will take sustained action against all terrorist groups.”

Flood devastation

When asked to comment on the devastation caused by the floods, Price said, “we are deeply saddened by the devastation and by the loss of life throughout Pakistan that these historic floods have caused. We stand with the people of Pakistan at this difficult time”.

He said that as of September 12, a total of nine US Central Command flights delivered more than half of the 630 metric tons of relief supplies from USAID’s Dubai warehouse for the response to these massive floods.

“In total, CENTCOM will airlift more than 41,000 kitchen sets, 1,500 rolls of plastic sheeting, tens of thousands of plastic tarps, 8,700 shelter fixing kits — all in support of USAID’s flood relief.”

In this fiscal year alone, we’ve provided more than $53 million in humanitarian assistance, including urgently needed support for food, nutrition, multipurpose cash, safe drinking water, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene, as well as shelter assistance. We’re going to continue to work very closely with our Pakistani partners to continue to assess the damage that has been wrought by these floods, and we’ll continue to provide assistance to our partners in this time of need.”

‘Concerned by significant restrictions on media’

Price, in response to a question regarding media restriction in the country, said that the US continues to be concerned by significant restrictions on media outlets and civil society in Pakistan and raises its concerns about press freedom to all stakeholders around the world, including Pakistan.

“We’re concerned that media and content restrictions, as well as a lack of accountability for attacks against journalists, undermine the exercise of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. A free press and informed citizenry we believe are key to democratic societies around the world, key to our democratic future. That applies equally to Pakistan as it does to other countries around the world.”

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Gilani is called upon by Qatar’s envoy, and the acting president promises to deepen ties between Pakistan and Qatar.

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Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, the acting president, has stated that Pakistan places a high priority on its relationship with Qatar and emphasized the significance of further developing the two countries’ mutually beneficial ties.

When Qatar’s ambassador, Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater, paid him a visit in Islamabad, he shared similar opinions.

Both nations have a lot of room to grow their commercial and economic ties, according to the acting president. He advised businesses in Qatar to benefit from Pakistan’s investment-friendly atmosphere.

The Ambassador expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s business-friendly environment and announced that Qatar’s Minister of Investment would soon travel to Pakistan with his group to investigate potential investment opportunities in a number of industries that would serve to advance economic ties.

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Energy Efficiency: SIFC to Invest $1 Billion on Hydrocracker Unit

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When it comes to energy efficiency, oil refineries are getting some aid from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

Projects to enhance the refinery are the primary emphasis of the petroleum division, as instructed by SIFC. A Hydrocracker Unit to refine furnace oil into gasoline and diesel is being considered for installation at PARCO.

A more reliable supply of energy is one of the goals of the $1 billion Hydrocracker Unit.

Diesel and gasoline have been asked to be free from sales taxes by refineries as well. The sales tax statute of 1990, which presently applies sales tax to all goods and services, is currently undergoing changes, which includes this request.

With SIFC’s backing, these projects should help the energy sector expand and stabilize the economy.

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More than 10,000 students from Pakistan create a huge human flag, setting a new world record.

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With the participation of children from Army Public School in Lahore in the creation of the largest flag, Pakistan sets yet another world record. The human flag was produced by almost 10,000 pupils.

As part of a patriotic exhibition, the students united to make a huge human flag of Pakistan, breaking the previous record set by India, where 7,368 pupils made a similar banner.

The Punjab government arranged the Lahore Youth Festival, which saw the setting of the new world record.

The Lahore Youth Festival’s remaining events will be held at Fortress Stadium in Lahore Cant from November 8 to November 10. The opening and closing ceremonies are expected to be colorful on November 8 and 10, respectively.

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