Bill introduced in US House to terminate designation of Pakistan as Major non-NATO ally

On first day of 117th Congress, a lawmaker has introduced a bill in US House of Representatives to terminate designation of Pakistan as a Major n-NATO Ally. Introduced by Republican Congressman Andy Biggs, bill removes Pakistan's designation as a major n-NATO ally, a status that allows for various benefits such as access to excess US defense supplies and participation in cooperative defense research and development projects.

bill also tes that US President cant issue a separate designation of Pakistan as a Major NATO ally, unless a presidential certification that Pakistan continues to conduct military operations that are contributing to significantly disrupting safe haven and freedom of movement of Haqqani Network in Pakistan.

It also seeks a presidential certification that Pakistan has taken steps to demonstrate its commitment to prevent Haqqani Network from using any Pakistani territory as a safe haven and that Pak government actively coordinates with Afghanistan to restrict movement of militants, such as Haqqani Network, along Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

bill also asks president to certify that Pakistan has shown progress in arresting and prosecuting Haqqani Network senior leers and mid-level operatives. Pakistan was named a Major n-NATO ally during Bush ministration in 2004. Currently, re are 17 Major n-NATO ally. Brazil was last country to given this designation by President Donald Trump in 2019. designation gives countries to entry into cooperative research and development projects with Department of Defense (DoD) on a shared-cost basis, participation in certain counter-terrorism initiatives, purchase of depleted uranium anti-tank rounds, priority delivery of military surplus (ranging from rations to ships).

It also gives m access to War Reserve Stocks of DoD-owned equipment that are kept outside of American military bases, offers m loans of equipment and material for cooperative research and development projects and evaluations and permission to use American financing for purchase or lease of certain defense equipment.

designation among or things expedites export processing of techlogy and permission for country's corporations to bid on certain DoD contracts for repair and maintenance of military equipment outside United States. However, President Trump in January 2018 suspended all financial and security assistance to Pakistan. outgoing Trump ministration even considered terminating designation of Pakistan as a Major n-NATO ally. Under Obama ministration, US designated India as a Major Defense Partner.