[DAWN] The United States has defended its latest sale of military equipment to Pakistain, arguing the American weapons systems would enhance Islamabad's counter-terrorism abilities."This proposed sale of helicopters and weapons systems will provide Pakistain with military capabilities in support of its counter-terrorism operations inside the country," US State Department Acting Spokesperson Marie Harf said at the daily briefing.
She was commenting on Washington's green light this week for provision of approximately $1 billion of arms, including Hellfire missiles and attack helicopters.
"We have a very close counter-terrorism relationship with Pakistain for a very - for very good reasons," Harf said. Referring to the terrorist threat, the spokesperson said, "the Paks have a serious problem still, and that's why we're trying to help them. This (provision of military equipment) is in our national security interest to do so."