Washington: A US lawmaker has introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives to end Pakistan’s recognition as a major non-NATO ally, in which Islamabad will be recognized by the US with certain conditions. There is a provision to require annual certification from the President. Congressman Andy Biggs, representing Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, introduced the bill (HR 80).
It must be passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate before it can be signed into law by the US President and sent to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives for necessary action. Normally such bills fail to get passed but the current bill reflects the sentiments of MPs against Pakistan, which is known for harboring terrorism and using it as a state policy.
In order to maintain Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally, the bill requires the US President to issue a certification that Pakistan has failed to arrest and prosecute members of the Haqqani Network. It has shown progress and taken steps to demonstrate its commitment to preventing the Haqqani Network from using any Pakistani territory as a sanctuary.
Both situations are seen as a major challenge for Pakistan, as many in the US consider the Haqqani network to be an important offshoot of the ISI. The bill also seeks certification from the US President that Pakistan actively coordinates with Afghanistan to restrict the activities of terrorist organizations such as the Haqqani Network near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
