US Lawmaker Moves Bill To Strip Pakistan Of Major Non-NATO Ally Status

Pakistan may lose its major non-Nato ally status after a bill was moved in the US House of Representatives to terminate the designation.

The bill also requires annual certification from the US President with certain conditions for Islamabad to be given such a designation.

The bill was introduced by Congressman Andy Biggs, who represents the fifth Congressional district of Arizona.

It needs to be passed by the House and the Senate before it can be signed into law by the US President.

The bill has been sent to the House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary actions.

As a major non-Nato ally, Pakistan enjoys several perks, such as access to excess US defence supplies and eligibility for loans of materials, supplies or equipment for cooperative research, development, testing, or evaluation purposes, ANI reported.

The bill asks the US President to issue a certification that Pakistan has shown progress in arresting and prosecuting Haqqani Network senior leaders and mid-level operatives and has taken steps to demonstrate its commitment to prevent the Haqqani Network from using any Pakistani territory as a safe haven.

(With inputs from PTI)