Pakistani PM on US delivery of F-16s

Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Wednesday that the decision of the US government on sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan would meet the country's legitimate defense needs.

According to the local news agency News Network International, Aziz made the remark when meeting the US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca, who called on him in Islamabad on Wednesday.

During the meeting, both sides discussed bilateral relations including defense, economic and trade relations as well as the regional situation.

"The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the growing cooperation between the two countries and welcomed the decision of the US government to sell F-16 aircraft to Pakistan," an official statement said.

"This would contribute towards meeting Pakistan's legitimate defense needs," the statement quoted the prime minister as saying.

Aziz hoped that the economic and trade relations would also be further increased and Pakistan would benefit from foreign direct investment by American investors.

Source: Xinhua