Islamabad: Pakistan's ties with the US have witnessed a "downward slide", amid a row over a decision by the Congress to block the sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to the country, Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has said.
<img title="Sartaj Aziz" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/may/14Sartaj-Aziz-1.jpg" alt="Sartaj Aziz" /> Sartaj Aziz
Briefing the Senate, Aziz candidly admitted that Pakistan-US ties were under stress for the past three months over the F-16 issue but the two were working to resolve it.
"In the past three months, however, the upward trajectory in relations has witnessed a downward slide, as reflected in a decision of the US Congress to block partial funding for eight F-16 aircrafts," Aziz said on Thursday during a debate on the US' decision to withdraw a proposed subsidy on the sale of F-16s.
<img title="Weapons of contention: The F-16 fighter jets. Pics/AFP" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/may/14F-16-fighter-1.jpg" alt="Weapons of contention: The F-16 fighter jets. Pics/AFP" /> Weapons of contention: The F-16 fighter jets. Pics/AFP
Aziz also mentioned the 'India factor' for at least three times during his speech.
"The Indian lobby has been making untiring efforts to reverse the US decision, and a strong attempt, through Senator Rand Paul's resolution, to block the sale itself." Later, he said, "The Indian lobby in the US has also been highly pro-active in adding fuel to the fire, specially after the Pathankot incident on January 1, 2016."
Aziz said US-Pakistan ties have seen an "upward trajectory" since 2013, and that Pakistan was working to sort out its differences.

Pak PM's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz candidly admitted the country's ties with the US have been under stress since the last three months over the F-16 fighter jet deal

Pakistan rues 'downward slide' with US over F-16s 

Pakistan-Afghanistan border reopens after four days

Pak PM's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz candidly admitted the country's ties with the US have been under stress since the last three months over the F-16 fighter jet deal

Pakistan rues 'downward slide' with US over F-16s

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Home / News / World News / Article / Pakistan rues 'downward slide' with US over F-16s

Pakistan rues 'downward slide' with US over F-16s

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