New Delhi, India (CU)_ US lawmaker has introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives on the first day of the 117th Congress to remove Pakistan’s designation as a major non-NATO ally, which is a designation offered by the US government to its close affiliates who have working relationship with the US armed forces. It is also a special status which provides with numerous benefits like access to more US defense supplies and participation in defense related projects and counter-terrorism initiatives. The bill introduced by the Republican Congressman Andy Biggs gave a major setback to Pakistan.
The Congressman took to social media and wrote, “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.” He also tweeted the following: “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.”
The bill also indicates that the President of United States cannot provide a separate nomination of Pakistan as a Major NATO ally, unless a presidential certification that Pakistan engages in military operations that are contributing to significantly damage the safe haven and freedom of movement of the Haqqani Network in Pakistan.
The bill also expects a presidential certification that Pakistan has taken necessary measures to express its commitment to block the Haqqani Network from using any Pakistani region as a safe haven and that the Pakistan government actively coordinates with Afghanistan to limit the movement of militants like the Haqqani Network in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The bill also seeks the president to confirm that Pakistan has shown advancement in arresting and prosecuting the senior leaders and middle-level operatives of Haqqani Network.
Earlier in 2017 also a bill was introduced against Pakistan to terminate its designation as MNNA. This bill was passed by the US Representatives Ted Poe and Rick Nolan, referring to Pakistan’s inadequate efforts against terrorism. In the same year, General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, raised another issue against Pakistan charging their ties with terror groups.
Pakistan was given the major non-NATO ally designation in 2004 by President Bush. In 2019, President Donald Trump gave the non-NATO ally designation to Brazil. At present, there are 17 MNNA ally. The Trump administration too considered the termination of Pakistan’s designation as MNNA.
