Friday, February 4 2005 11:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Declining to give a firm commitment to provide F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan, the US today (Feb 04, 2005) said that it is considering the request from Islamabad and the issue will be dealt with at the "right time".

The sale of the military jets "continues to remain under consideration," US Under Secretary for Defence Douglas Feith told reporters in Islamabad after attending the US-Pak Defence Coordination Group (DCG) meet in Islamabad today.

"It is an important issue and it will be dealt with at the right time," he added.

However, the leader of Pakistan's delegation, its Defence Secretary, retired Gen Hamid Nawaz Khan was very hopeful in getting the F-16s for its Air Force.

"There is lot of hope in the air and we have made significant progress on the issue," he said in a joint press conference with reporters after the talks.

The talks were held in the backdrop of $ 1.3 billion military assistance provided by US to Pakistan, which included six Orion aircraft and anti-tank missiles. But US so far has remained non-committal about the sale of F-16s to refurbish PAF.

Feith said that he had good discussions with his Pakistani colleagues on a wide range of issues including, Indo-Pak ties, the democratic process in Iraq, Afghanistan situation, regional issues, Defence issues and the war on terrorism.

On questions relating to India acquiring latest weaponry, Fieth said that US was in favour of steps that promote peace and stability in the region. The US is always happy to encourage the resolution of problems between Pakistan and India through diplomacy.