US lawmakers move bill to designate Pakistan as 'state sponsor of terrorism'

Washington [US], Sept. 21 (ANI): Two American lawmakers have moved a bill to designate Pakistan as a 'state sponsor of terrorism' stating that it is time to stop paying Islamabad for its betrayal. Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02), the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism, along with Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (CA-48), introduced H.R.6069, the Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act, a press statement of Ted Poe said. Poe in the statement also pointed out that Islamabad has also aided and abetted enemies of the United States for years. "Not only is Pakistan an untrustworthy ally, Islamabad has also aided and abetted enemies of the United States for years. 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," Poe said in a statement on Tuesday while announcing the bill. He said that the bill will require the administration to formally answer this question and the President must issue a report within 90 days of passage detailing 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," Poe said. In a stern move, Poe reiterated that Pakistan be designated a state sponsor of terrorism. "It is time we stop paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is: a state sponsor of terrorism," he said. Congressman Poe along with other senators in another statement condemned the attack on an Indian army base in the garrison town of Uri that left 18 Indian soldiers dead. "It is a reminder to democracies the world over that terrorism seeks to destroy peace loving societies everywhere. It is still unclear which terrorist group carried out this cowardly attack, but one thing is certain. 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," he said. "Pakistan's reckless behaviour 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," he added. Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), Ranking Member of House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA), co-chair of the Senate India Caucus also condemned the attack.In the wee hours of Sunday, terrorists attacked the Army base of Uri. After a prolonged gunfight and explosions, 18 soldiers of the Army lost their lives while others were rendered injured. While Pakistan is being nailed for this attack, an initial probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) suggests that it is too early to conclude the association the terrorists to any specific group. In one of the worst attacks in recent times, as many as 18 soldiers were killed and over 20 others got injured post the terror strike on an army camp close to the headquarters of the 12th Brigade at Uri on Sunday.(ANI)