Yep,the Paki-factor is an albatross around the Viper's neck.If that didn't exist,it would have been an overwhelming frontrunner.
About Taiwan,well more F-16s would be good.The problem is that they really lack heavy duty strike capability.Their Mirage-2005s are their best air defence aircraft(unless they get newer F-16s),but the French tweaked the jets to
remove their inbuilt strike capability.They need something the F-15E to take the fight to the Chicoms.