Saturday, March 26 2005 11:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Jubilant over the US decision to permit the transfer of F-16 fighter aircraft, Pakistan yesterday (Mar 25, 2005) claimed the Bush administration has offered unlimited number of planes to it.

"We can buy as many as we want. We are very happy about this. This will enable us to restore conventional balance with India," Pakistan's Information Minister Sheikh Rashid told Geo TV last night reacting to reports from Washington that US has approved sale of the planes to Islamabad.

Rashid said India should not worry about the sale as these aircraft would only help Pakistan to replace its old aircraft. "Acquisition of these aircraft does not mean that we are going to war. They will only ensure conventional balance," he said.

The Minister said India has acquired a number sophisticated weapons, including Sukhoi from Russia as well as Falcon Radars from Israel.

Asked when the US would begin delivering aircraft, he said US has promised to get the approval of US Congress at the earliest after which the sale would be formalised.