WASHINGTON: Since 2004, Pakistan has been designated a major non-NATO ally (MNNA). Congressman Andy Biggs, a far-right Republican from Arizona who is known for his hard-line views, has proposed legislation to rescind this designation.
The proposal, however, concentrates on taking action against the Haqqani Network, which was classified as a foreign terrorist organization by the US State Department in September 2012.
Analysts pointed out that even if the measure were approved, it might not have much of an influence in practice, particularly given that Sirajuddin Haqqani, the son of Haqqani Network founder Jalaluddin Haqqani, is presently Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister.
It should be mentioned that the Doha process is still being used by the US to interact with Afghanistan.
Far-right Republicans have proposed four bills, but experts predict that the action would have little real-world impact.
Biggs filed four legislative proposals last week, one of which was a bill to remove Pakistan’s MNNA status. He is now the chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime of the House Judiciary Committee.
The bill, titled “To terminate the designation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as a major non-NATO ally, and for other purposes,” has been referred 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 US president certifies that Pakistan is committed to: conducting military operations that significantly disrupt the Haqqani Network’s safe havens in Pakistan; preventing the Haqqani Network from using Pakistani territory as a sanctuary; actively coordinating with Afghanistan to restrict militant movement along the Afghan-Pakistan border; and arresting and prosecuting senior and mid-level leaders of the Haqqani Network.
The bill would also prohibit the president from reinstating Pakistan’s MNNA designation until these conditions are met.
George W. Bush, who was president at the time, gave Pakistan MNNA designation in 2004 so that it could receive grants, defense cooperation, and military training. Enhancing defense capabilities and establishing strategic alliances are the goals of the designation.
Congressman Biggs has presented similar measures several times since 2019, according to observers, but none of them have advanced to a House vote.
One diplomatic source claimed that Biggs’ actions are consistent with his attempts to exert pressure on Pakistan during the Trump administration.
According to one source, “President Trump had already suspended military aid to Pakistan.” This seems to be a part of a larger effort to get Pakistan to cut ties with China. Paradoxically, such actions might the reverse, bringing Islamabad closer to Beijing.”
Whether or not the proposed legislation is taken to the House and Senate floor for debate will determine its future.
The legislative agenda of Biggs
Alongside this bill, Congressman Biggs has introduced a number of controversial ones. Among these is a resolution calling on the House to denounce the validity of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Harper regarding with the events in Gaza.
Another bill proposes to cut off all US financing to the World Health Organization (WHO), which the Israeli government has accused of aiding Hamas in Gaza. The UN has flatly disputed these allegations.
Biggs has taken divisive opinions on a number of issues in his role as chair of the Freedom Caucus, which is frequently linked to far-right populist viewpoints. He opposes the right to choose abortion, disagrees with the scientific consensus regarding climate change, and voted against making Juneteenth, a federal holiday honoring the abolition of slavery in the United States, a federal holiday in 2021.
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