Weeks after US announced F-16 package for Islamabad, Pak army Chief in US to meet officials

Washington, October 03: Days after the United States approved a US $ 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment program to Pakistan, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is now on his visit to the US to meet the Biden administration.

Pakistan’s Ambassador Sardar Masood Khan gave the information about it saying, “Yes, he is here.” Gen Bajwa was expected to meet Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, National Intelligence Director Avril D. Haines, and CIA Director William J. Burns.

As per the reports, Pakistani officials are also trying to secure a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Earlier, General Bajwa and General Lloyd James Austin, US Secretary of Defence had a telephonic conversation. During the call, matters of mutual interests, regional stability as well as defense and security cooperation were discussed.

It should be noted, the Biden Administration has approved a whopping USD 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment program for Pakistan. As a notification to the US Congress, the State Department has made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale of the F-16 case for sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 450 million, arguing that this will sustain Islamabad's capability to meet current and future counterterrorism threats by maintaining its F-16 fleet.