Ted Poe said he has recently moved a legislation in Congress, which would help the US move away from its long-term relationship with Pakistan
“Pakistan is not a loyal ally. It plays both sides.” These were the hard hitting words of US Republican lawmaker Ted Poe, who stated that it was time that the United States “pivoted” away from its long time support to Pakistan and towards India.
In an exclusive interview with WION, Poe said he has recently moved legislation in Congress which would help the US move away from its long time relationship with Pakistan.
“My bill does two things. It labels Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism and that they should be removed from the non-NATO ally status...This is the best opportunity we have had in years to pass this bill because many members of Congress understand that Pakistan is not a loyal ally,” the US Congressman said.
The Congressman’s legislation comes as the US House of Representatives recently passed the National Defense Authorization Act.
If this bill receives the approval of both the US Congress’ Upper House (the Senate) and President Donald Trump it will become law, and US funding to Pakistan will become tighter. For instance, the Act states that the Pentagon will have to assess Pakistan's support for “known terrorists,” before the US provides any further military funding to Islamabad.
Poe has been known for his hard line on Pakistan and stated in the interview that Islamabad, for some time now, has been happy to “play both sides.” “Pakistan takes US money to support the ISI and terrorists in Afghanistan so they play both sides. We shouldn’t be giving any money to Pakistan and we need to start somewhere with which to do that. The best way to do that is through legislation.”
Poe’s statements come a day the US State Department had listed Pakistan as one of the nations that provided “safe havens” to terrorists. He said that made him even more determined to press forward his legislation.
“I don’t know what the President has in mind; I have not talked to him on the issue. But my personal opinion is that the new administration will come up with a different plan to deal with Pakistan, and I hope that is the case.
Asked about how he viewed the US relationship with India and what changes he expected the new administration to bring to the relationship, the US Congressman said, “I do think the US should move closer to India and pivot from its long time support to Pakistan, to supporting India. I don’t know what the President has in mind but the new administration has been very encouraging towards India, and it’s clear that President Trump wants to work with Prime Minister Modi to help support stability in the region.”
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