布什政府说，计划把目前用于资助巴基斯坦反恐项目的数亿美元，转用于帮助巴基斯坦更新日益老化的战斗机。这项计划最先由纽约时报透露。报导说，布什政府改变对巴基斯坦2亿3千万美元援助的用途，这样巴基斯坦可以更新它的美制F-16战斗机群。这笔金额相当于美国对巴基斯坦援助的三分之二。
白宫发言人佩里诺证实了纽约时报的报导。她说，巴基斯坦政府正承受极大的压力，需要美国的帮助。改变资金用途必须得到美国国会的批准。这个消息被披露正值巴基斯坦新总理吉拉尼准备下个星期对华盛顿访问之际。
佩里诺否认有关巴基斯坦的F-16战斗机从未用于反恐行动的报导。
The Bush administration says it plans to shift millions of dollars in aid now dedicated to funding anti-terrorism programs in Pakistan to help the country upgrade its fleet of aging fighter jets. The move was first reported by the New York Times, which said the administration will shift almost 230-million dollars in aid so Pakistan can upgrade its U.S.-made F-16 planes. That figure represents two-thirds of U.S. aid to Islamabad.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino (Thursday) confirmed the Times report, saying the Pakistani government is under a great deal of pressure and needs assistance from the United States. The shift will have to be approved by U.S. lawmakers, and news of the plan comes as new Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani prepares to visit Washington next week.
Perino disputed reports that Pakistan’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets have not been used in counter-terrorism operations.