It’s time Pakistan foots the Bill for its ‘betrayal’ of US

Two powerful American lawmakers have introduced a Bill in the US House of Representatives to designate Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, saying it was time the US stopped paying the country for its “betrayal”.

The “Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act” (HR 6069) has been moved by Republican Ted Poe and Democrat Dana Rohrabacher, who is a ranking member of the influential Congressional Committee on Terrorism.

“It is time we stopp paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is: a state sponsor of terrorism,” said Mr Poe, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism.

“Not only is Pakistan an untrustworthy ally, Islamabad has also aided and abetted enemies of the US for years,” Mr Poe said.

“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,” he alleged.

Mr Poe said the Bill will require the Obama administration to formally answer this question.

In a separate statement, Congressman Pete Olson supported every effort to bring to justice the perpetrators of the Uri terrorist attack by Pakistan-backed terrorists.

“I strongly condemn this terrorist attack on an Indian army base in Kashmir that resulted in the death of 18 Indian soldiers. India is a strong partner and ally in peace,” he said.