WASHINGTON, Aug 13: Strained relations with the United States has considerably slowed the pace of transfers and deliveries of American weapons to Pakistan, says a congressional report, hoping that the recent removal of some of the impediments will also accelerate the pace.

The report by the Congressional Research Service goes to both chambers of the US Congress as an official document and is used as a reference material in debates and hearings.

It comes at a time when some US lawmakers are trying to stop US military assistance to Pakistan, claiming that the country allows Taliban militants to use their bases in Fata for attacking US military targets in Afghanistan.

The official study reports that between 2002 and 2010, the Pentagon concluded $5.4 billion worth of foreign military sales agreement with Pakistan. About half of this included in-process sales of F-16 combat aircraft and related equipment.

“In dollar value terms, the bulk of purchases have been made with Pakistani national funds, but US grants have eclipsed these in recent years,” it notes.

The United States has also provided Pakistan with nearly $2.5 billion in foreign military financing since 2001. These funds are used to purchase US military equipment for longer-term modernisation efforts.

Pakistan has also received excess US defence articles as a close non-Nato ally.