US Congress moved to terminate Pakistan's status as major non-NATO ally

Republican Congressman Andy Biggs claims US president not in a position to issue a separate designation to Pakistan

KARACHI:

A Republican member of Congress has introduced a bill, seeking to terminate Pakistan’s special designation of a major non-NATO ally of the United States.

Andy Biggs, a prominent Republican from Arizona who tabled the bill, claimed that the US president was not in a position to issue a separate designation to Pakistan as a major NATO ally unless a presidential certification is issued stating that Pakistan continues to conduct military operations that are contributing to significantly disrupting the terrorist safe haven and freedom of movement of the Haqqani network in the country.

“On the first day of the 117th Congress, my staff and I have hit the ground running, working hard for the great people of #AZ05,” Biggs wrote on his official Twitter handle.

“Today, I reintroduced 28 bills that keep the promises I’ve made to my constituents and help to reduce the size and scope of the federal government.”

On the first day of the 117th Congress, my staff and I have hit the ground running, working hard for the great people of #AZ05.

Today, I reintroduced 28 bills that keep the promises I've made to my constituents and help to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. pic.twitter.com/HplIcEazR8

— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) January 4, 2021

 

The new bill — which has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs— asks the president to certify that Pakistan has shown progress in order to arrest and prosecute senior leaders and mid-level operatives of the Haqqani Network.

It also urged the president to certify that the government of Pakistan is actively coordinating with the government of Afghanistan to restrict the movement of militants, such as Haqqani network, along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

According to a report published in Washington Times, there was no indication the bill will have momentum before the House Foreign Affairs Committee since Biggs is not a member of the committee.

It also pointed out that the move drew little US media notice but triggered headlines in India, which has long been critical of US-Pakistan relations.

Pakistan was given the designation as a major non-NATO ally during the Bush administration in 2004.