Days after the Uri attack from Pakistan on Indian soldiers and the association of New York bomber with Pakistan, a bipartisan group of lawyers in the United States introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday to designate Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism.
"It is time we stopped paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is: a state sponsor of terrorism. Not only is Pakistan an untrustworthy ally, Islamabad has also aided and abetted enemies of the US for years," said Republican Congressman Ted Poe, who is the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism.
The bill named "Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act" (HR 6069) was introduced by Ted Poe and Democratic Party's Congressman Dana Rohrabacher. Rohrabacher is a key member of the Congressional Committee on terrorism.
"From harbouring 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 alleged.
Poe added that after the passage of the bill, the Obama Administration should issue a report within 90 days explaining whether Pakistan has provided support for international terrorism or not.
"Thirty days after that, the Secretary of State must issue a follow-up report containing either a determination that Pakistan is a State Sponsor of terrorism or a detailed justification as to why Pakistan does not meet the legal criteria for designation," Poe said.
Republican Party Congressman Pete Olson, in a separate statement, condemned the Uri attack on Indian soldiers and said that the perpetrators of the heinous act should be brought to justice. He also added that India is America's strong partner and is an ally in peace.
Four jihadi militants attacked an Indian army base camp in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, and opened fire on the soldiers who were sleeping in the camp. The assault resulted in the death of 18 soldiers and many others are in a critical condition.
