Republican Congressman Andy Biggs has reintroduced a bill in the US House of Representatives that seeks to revoke Pakistan’s designation as a major non-NATO ally. The bill stipulates that the U.S. president should not certify this status unless Pakistan continues to take significant military action against the Haqqani Network, a militant group that has long used Pakistan as a safe haven. The bill’s language requires that Pakistan demonstrate a commitment to preventing the Haqqani Network from operating freely within its borders and actively coordinate with the Afghan government to restrict militant movement along the Afghan-Pakistani border.

The bill was first introduced by Congressman Biggs in January 2019 and has been reintroduced in every subsequent Congressional session, but it has failed to make significant progress so far. Despite its lack of advancement in previous attempts, the reintroduction of the bill highlights persistent concerns in Washington about Pakistan’s role in harboring militant groups like the Haqqani Network. The United States has been critical of Pakistan’s perceived failure to take decisive action against such groups, which pose a threat to both regional stability and U.S. interests in Afghanistan.

Biggs, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, has argued that the legislation is crucial for holding Pakistan accountable. The bill reflects the broader geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Pakistan, particularly regarding Pakistan’s support for certain militant groups in the region. If passed, the bill could signal a shift in U.S. foreign policy, potentially leading to the removal of Pakistan’s major non-NATO ally status, which grants the country certain military and economic privileges. However, given the bill’s failure to progress in previous sessions, its future remains uncertain.