Washington, JULY 4, SPA -- The U.S. government said on Monday that it planned to sell Pakistan up to 36 advanced F-16 fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin Corporation in a defense package that could be worth more than $5 billion. The State Department said the proposed sale was part of an effort to broaden the United States’ strategic partnership with Pakistan and advance U.S. national security and foreign policy interests in South Asia. The U.S. Congress has the power to block or change a proposed sale. The Pentagon notice to Congress was dated June 28 but made public on Monday. --SPA 04/07/2006 11:48 ت م www.spa.gov.sa/373185