Tuesday, July 25 2006 11:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: A prominent American lawmaker today asked Bush Administration to scrap the sale of F-16s to Pakistan, saying the acquisition of the US-made fighter jets plus the plutonium reactor reportedly being built by Islamabad equals a 'catastrophe.'

In a 'Dear Colleague' letter written in the wake of reports about the plutonium reactor, Gary Ackerman, the Co Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans said at any time this news would be unwelcome.

Pointing to The Washington Post piece today about the dramatic expansion in Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme, Ackerman said the import of the story is 'truly alarming' in the context of a pending sale by US of F-16 fighter-bombers.

Despite assurances by the Bush Administration that these aircraft will not be misused, or their technology transferred to other countries like China, once these planes have been delivered to Pakistan, there is, in fact, absolutely nothing we can do to prevent misuse," the New York Democrat said in his letter.

"Based on history and strategic analysis, there is every reason to believe the contrary that these F-16s will be drafted for use as nuclear weapons delivery vehicles, and that they will be picked apart by potential adversaries to answer questions about our aviation capabilities," he said.

"Help stop a catastrophe before it happens. And stop the sale of F-16s to Pakistan" the lawmaker, also a senior member in the House International Relations Committee said.