Washington (TDI): US lawmaker Andy Biggs, a far-right Republican from Arizona known for his hard-line positions, has reintroduced legislation to revoke Pakistan’s status as a major non-Nato ally, a designation the country has held since 2004.
However, the legislation focuses on action against the Haqqani Network, which the US State Department declared as a foreign terrorist organisation in September 2012, according to Dawn.com.
Analysts underlined that even if the bill were adopted, its practical impact might be limited, particularly since Sirajuddin Haqqani is currently serving as the interim foreign minister of Afghanistan.
The United States, it should be noted, continues to engage with Afghanistan through the Doha process.
Last week, Biggs submitted 4 legislative proposals, including the legislation aimed at terminating Pakistan’s MNNA status.
He presently serves as the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance.
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The bill, titled “To terminate the designation of Pakistan as a major non-NATO ally, and for other purposes,” has been forwarded to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The proposed legislation calls for the revocation of Pakistan’s MNNA designation under Section 517(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, unless the United States president certifies that Islamabad is committed to: conducting military operations that considerably disrupt the Haqqani Network’s safe havens in the country; preventing the Network from using Pakistani territory as a sanctuary; actively coordinating with Kabul to restrict militant movement along the Afghan-Pakistan border; and apprehending and prosecuting senior and mid-level leaders of the Haqqani Network.
The legislation would also prohibit the president from reinstating Pakistan’s MNNA designation until these conditions are fulfilled.
Pakistan’s Non-NATO Ally Status
Pakistan was granted MNNA status in 2004 by then-President George W. Bush, enabling it to access benefits such as defence cooperation, military training, and grant assistance.
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The designation is intended to strengthen strategic partnerships and boost defence capabilities.
