Wednesday, June 15 2005 11:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Fearing that Islamabad has "a history of using US weapons platforms against India", several members of the House International Relations Subcommittee on South Asia and the Pacific have expressed concern over the decision of the Bush Administration to sell F-16s to Pakistan.

Democrat Eni F H Faleomavaega Ssmoa said US should reconsider the sale of F-16s to Pakistan as they are capable of delivering nuclear weapons and Pakistan has "a history of using US weapons platforms against India." He pointed out that Pakistan used US-supplied F-104s against India.

Pakistan has "a history of nuclear proliferation." He pointed out that A Q Khan proliferated nuclear technology to North Korea, Libya and Iran.

India is a democracy while Pakistan is not. Unless Pakistan embraces the democratic system of Government, "we will be fooling ourselves if we sell Pakistan F-16s", he said.

Democrat Gary Ackerman pointed out that Pakistan-based Jihadis and intelligence services are operating "with impunity" in Kashmir. Pakistan's cooperation against terrorism is confined to al-Qaeda, not Pakistani extremists.

Members also expressed unhappiness over the US acceptance of Pakistan's refusal to let US interrogate A Q Khan.

Republican Dana Rohrabacher said that A Q Khan's nuclear proliferation has "put us all at risk". The argument that the US is supplying F-16s to Pakistan because Pakistan is an ally in the war against terrorism, he said, "Is one of the most ridiculous arguments I have heard." He added, "I don't think we should sell F-16s to India either. Both are poor countries. F-16s are not going to produce any more wealth for the people of Pakistan or India."