U.S. cash to fix Pakistan F-16s

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The United States plans to shift close to $230 million in U.S. aid to Pakistan from counterterrorism programs to upgrading Pakistan's aging F-16 fighter jets.

"The bottom line here is that we've shifted money to help the democratically elected government of Pakistan to fight a common foe, a common enemy that we have," said Gonzolo Gallegos, a State Department spokesman.

National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the move was made to aid the new Pakistan government, which "faces difficult fiscal circumstances, in part due to rising food and energy prices, and needs this assistance from the United States."

Skeptical lawmakers worry the F-16 upgrades will divert funding from critical counterterrorism programs and could be more about Pakistan competing with its rival, India, than fighting terror.