To terminate the designation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as a major non-NATO ally, and for other purposes.
This bill would terminate the United States’ designation of Pakistan as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) effective upon enactment. It also bars any new MNNA designation for Pakistan unless the President submits a certification to Congress demonstrating four specific conditions related to countering the Haqqani Network and militant safe havens. In short, the bill removes Pakistan’s special MNNA status and creates a mandatory certification threshold the Executive Branch would need to meet before any future MNNA designation could be granted. The four certification criteria focus on counterterrorism cooperation with Afghanistan and on Pakistan’s actions against the Haqqani Network, including disrupting its safe havens, preventing use of Pakistani territory for safe havens, coordinating with Afghanistan to restrict militant movement along the border, and making progress in arresting Haqqani Network leaders and operatives.
Key Points
- 1Termination of designation: The bill ends Pakistan’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally under the Foreign Assistance Act and prevents a new MNNA designation unless certain conditions are met.
- 2Certification prerequisite for new designation: Before the President could designate Pakistan again as MNNA, the President must submit to Congress a certification outlining the four criteria described in the bill.
- 3Four certification criteria: The President must certify that Pakistan (1) continues to conduct military operations disrupting Haqqani Network safe havens and freedom of movement in Pakistan; (2) has taken steps to prevent Haqqani Network use of Pakistani territory as a safe haven; (3) actively coordinates with Afghanistan to restrict militant movement along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border; and (4) has shown progress in arresting and prosecuting Haqqani Network senior leaders and mid-level operatives.
- 4Effective date and process: The termination takes effect on enactment; any new designation would require the specified certification.
- 5Scope related to defense cooperation: While not enumerating all MNNA benefits, the bill effectively blocks the formal MNNA status unless the stated conditions are satisfied, which would influence the framework for security cooperation and defense trade that accompanies MNNA status.