Bill Introduced In US House To Terminate Designation Of Pakistan As Major Non-Nato Ally

WHAT IS A NON-NATO ALLY?

• Other than the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies, the US also has non-NATO allies.
• These non-NATO allies enjoy certain privileges in relationship with the US, which other countries don’t.
• At present there are 17 non-NATO allies of the US.
• Pakistan was given this designation in 2004 under the George Bush administration.

PRIVILEGES ENJOYED BY MAJOR ALLIES:

• Working for cooperative research and development projects with the US 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.
• Accessing War Reserve Stocks of DoD-owned equipment that are kept outside of American military bases.
• Permission to use American financing for the purchase or lease of certain defense equipment.
• Expedited export processing of space technology
• Permission for the country’s corporations to bid on certain DoD contracts for the repair and maintenance of military equipment outside the United States.

REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE BILL:

• Removal of Pakistan’s designation as Major non-NATO ally.
• Preventing US President from issuing separate designation of Pakistan as a Major NATO ally, except if the President provides certification of the following:
• Certificate that Pakistan continues to conduct military operations against the Haqqani Network in Pakistan.
• Certificate that Pakistan coordinates with Afghanistan to restrict the movement of the Haqqani Network, along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
• Certificate that Pakistan has made progress in arresting and prosecuting Haqqani Network members.

WHAT IS THE HAQQANI NETWORK?

• The Haqqani Network is an Afghanistan based insurgent group
• It is known for using asymmetric warfare to fight against US-led NATO forces and the government of Afghanistan.
• It is an offshoot of the infamous TALIBAN.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE BILL MIGHT AFFECT THE INTERNATIONAL BALANCE? DO LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW!