Lagatar24 Desk
Washington Jan 18: A US lawmaker has introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives to terminate Pakistan’s designation as a major non-NATO ally, requiring annual endorsement from the president with certain conditions for Islamabad to receive such a designation.
The bill (HR 80), introduced by Congressman Andy Biggs, removes Pakistan’s designation as a major non-NATO ally. It is a status that grants various benefits such as access to excess US defence supplies and makes countries eligible for loans of material, supplies or equipment for joint research, development, testing or evaluation.
Moreover, the bill needs to be passed by the House and the Senate before it can be signed into law by the US President and has been sent to the House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary actions.
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Normally, such bills do not fructify, but the present bill reflects lawmaker’s sentiment against Pakistan, which is known to hide terrorism and use it as a matter of State policy.
To further continue Pakistan’s designation as a major non-NATO ally, the bill indicates the US president to issue a certification that the country has proceeded to arrest and prosecute Haqqani Network senior leaders and mid-level operatives and steps have been taken steps to demonstrate its commitment to prevent Haqqani Network from using areas of Pakistan as a safe haven.
The bill also seeks confirmation from the US President that Pakistan is actively coordinating with Afghanistan to limit the movement of militants such as the Haqqani Network along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
