Sale of F-16s to Pakistan OK'd in key Senate vote

In a key test vote, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the sale of 40 F-16 bombers to Pakistan. Some senators expressed concern that the sale would escalate a conventional arms race in South Asia.

The $1.1 billion package of 40 fighters and related equipment could be vetoed by Congress if both houses voted to disapprove before Sunday, but the committee vote indicated the sale will go through.