Bill to remove Pakistan's non-NATO ally status tabled in US House

A US lawmaker has introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives that seeks to terminate Pakistan's designation as a major non-NATO ally, and require annual certification from the 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, and has been sent to the House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary actions.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. The bill also wants a certification from the US President that Pakistan actively coordinates with Afghanistan to restrict the movement of militants, such as the Haqqani Network, along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari blamed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government for creating problems for Pakistan through its policy of "appeasement" towards the outlawed Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). During an interview with Al Jazeera, Bilawal termed Khan's approach "wrong" and assured that the incumbent government has put an end to the PTI's approach.  “The solution is to engage the Afghan government and try to convince them to live up to their promises to the international community whether it is to do with women’s rights or the issue of terrorism,” said Bilawal.