US Arms Sales to Pakistan Deepens Crisis in Region

(FNA)- Former Pakistani Ambassador to Washington Hussain Haqqani warned Islamabad to avoid purchase of arms from Washington, saying US arms sales to Pakistan would deteriorate the critical conditions of the region.

"US military supply to Pakistan will deepen the crisis in South Asia," Haqqani told reporters on Tuesday.

He noted that Pakistan’s failure in holding back the terrorist groups is not a result of a lack of weapons, but a consequence of a lack of will.

"The United States' continued arms supply to the Pakistani army that is much larger than the country can afford will only invigorate Pakistani militancy and militarism at the expense of its 200 million people, one-third of whom continue to live at less than a dollar a day per household," Haqqani said.

He said that instead of selling more military equipment to Pakistan, the US officials should convince Pakistan that its ambitions of rivaling India are akin to Belgium trying to rival France or Germany.

The Obama administration announced earlier in April that his government will sell $1 billion worth of attack helicopters, missiles and other equipment to Pakistan.