Pakistan hints at deferment of F-16 jets purchase
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Nov 5, IRNA
Pakistan-Planes
Pakistan on Friday hinted at a possible deferment of the purchase of more F-16 fighter planes from the United States to divert the money to relief and rehabilitation of earthquake victims.
Talking to newsmen during a visit to the quake-affected areas, President General Pervez Musharraf dropped the hint of shelving the purchase for the time being, television channels also reported.
However, President Musharraf made it clear that both
rehabilitation of quake-devastated families and the country's defence were important. Therefore, neither could be overlooked.
President Musharraf also expressed his dismay over the world community's response vis-a-vis the calls for assistance in the wake of the calamity that hit the North-West Frontier Province and the northern areas as well as Kashmir under Pakistan's administration on October 8.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told newsmen the other day that to date international pledges to the tune of USD 2 billion had been made while local pledges amounted to over Rs. 5 billion.
The government has said that at least USD 5 billion were needed for the massive rehabilitation of victims.
2023/235/2321/1414
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