Pakistan has the option of getting some of the F-16 fighter jets free from the US under the $ 3 billion assistance announced by Washington in 2003.

This was stated by American envoy Ryan C Crocker while launching the United States Department of Agriculture-funded Poverty Alleviation Programme. The USDA has given a $ 25 million grant to the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund for the project.

Also see: F-16s for Pak: Don't worry, US tells India

Crocker said a technical team of US officials would visit Pakistan in the next few weeks to finalise details related to the sale of the fighter jets to Islamabad [ Images ].

Asked about resolution of Kashmir [ Images ] problem, he said it "is an old and difficult issue." However, the overall progress on the issue is encouraging, he said, pointing out that the launch of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service would provide
an opportunity to the Kashmiris on both sides to meet.

The $ 3 billion assistance announced by President George W Bush [ Images ] in the summer of 2003 for Pakistan is getting underway this year, local daily Dawn quoted Crocker as saying.

Also see: F-16 for Pak -- Bush calls up PM

Under the programme, Pakistan would get $ 600 million annual tranche equally divided between military and economic spheres.