Adding to Islamabad’s isolation in its renewed bid to internationalise the Kashmir issue, two Republican lawmakers have introduced a Bill in the US Congress to designate Pakistan as a State sponsor of terrorism and cry a halt to doling out American dollars to an “untrustworthy ally”.
“It is time we stop paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is: a state sponsor of terrorism,” said Congressman Ted Poe as he along with Congressman Dana Rohrabacher introduced the Bill in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Called “HR 6069, the Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act”, the Bill enjoins the President to report within 90 days of its passage as to whether or not Pakistan has provided support for international terrorism.
“Thirty days after that, the Secretary of State must issue a follow-up report containing either a determination that Pakistan is state sponsor of terrorism or a detailed justification as to why Pakistan does not meet the legal criteria for designation,” said Poe, who heads the House Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade.
The Bill, which has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, comes close on the heels of Sunday’s cross-border terror attack on the Uri army base that killed 18 Indian soldiers and a day before Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was slated to rake up the Kashmir issue in the UN General Assembly.
“Not only is Pakistan an untrustworthy ally, Islamabad has also aided and abetted enemies of the United States for years,” Poe said, adding: “From harboring Osama bin laden to its cozy relationship with the Haqqani network, there is more than enough evidence to determine whose side Pakistan is on in the War on Terror. And it’s not America’s. This bill will require the Administration to formally answer this question.”
The Texas Congressman had taken the lead on the House side in condemning the Uri attack over the weekend, calling it “the deadliest assault in Indian-administered Kashmir in over two decades”.
“This is just the latest consequence of Pakistan’s longstanding irresponsible policy of supporting and providing operational space for all stripes of jihadi terrorist groups,” Poe had said in a separate statement on the Uri attack, adding: “Pakistan’s reckless behavior in this regard is a serious security risk to its neighbours – and India unfortunately pays the price all too often.”
“We condemn this tragic attack, as well as Pakistan’s support for many criminals like the ones who carried it out, and stand firm in our commitment to our friends in India. A threat to democracy in India is a threat to democracy everywhere. And that’s just the way it is,” Poe said.
Several other lawmakers have joined in the condemnation. They include Democratic lawmaker Brad Sherman from California, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Republican lawmakers Pete Sessions and Pete Olson, both from Texas.
“The United States stands with our Indian partners as we combat global terrorism and seek to defeat those who harbor or support these terrorists groups. We will not let these attacks affect our united
fight against terrorism and I remain deeply committed to our country’s strategic relationship with India and her people,” Sessions said.
Calling India “a strong partner and ally in peace”, Olson said, “I support every effort to find out who committed this heinous act, so that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”