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U.S. lawmakers move bill to designate Pakistan as ‘terrorist state’

Two powerful American lawmakers have introduced an act in the US House of Representatives to designate Pakistan a State Sponsor of terrorism, it has been reported.

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Condemning the Uri terror attack in which 18 Indian Army soldiers were martyred, US Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas has termed the dastardly attack as “cowardly act” and extended his condolences to the Indian government and to the families of the fallen. “And it’s not America’s”, said Poe in a statement while announcing the bill on Tuesday.

The bill, H.R 6069 or the Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act, enjoins the U.S. administration to make a formal call on the matter within four months of its passage, reports The Times of India. “In confronting terrorism, we remain committed to effectively exchanging information, freezing terrorist assets, and criminalising terror financing”. The bill, if passed, would label Pakistan a sponsor of terrorism. A detail report will be submitted to United States President within 90 days where the senators will provide details Pakistan in any ways has provided support for global terrorism in anyways. A statement issued by Congressman Pete Olson, he supported every effort to bring to justice the perpetrators of the Uri terrorist attack by Pakistan-backed terrorists.

“It is time we stopped paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is: a state sponsor of terrorism”, said Poe, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism. And that India has been a bearer of Islamabad’s irresponsibly policies on terrorism.

Poe had also condemned the terrorist attack in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a reminder to democracies the world over that terrorism seeks to destroy peace loving societies everywhere.

While there are many critics of New Delhi’s policy in the state, in India itself and in the USA, the idea that Pakistan is a votary of peace or well-wisher of Kashmiris evidently does not sell in the US.

Congressman from Texas continued: “This is just the latest effect of Pakistan’s longstanding irresponsible policy of supporting and providing operational space for all stripes of jihadi terrorist groups”.

“Pakistan’s reckless behaviour in this regard is a serious security risk to its neighbours – and India unfortunately pays the price all too often”. A threat to democracy in India is a threat to democracy everywhere. The legislation called H.R (House of Representative) 6069 or the Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act, urges the USA government to formally deal with the issue within 4 months.

The lawmakers in the U.S. are also contemplating to cut their financial aid to Islamabad so that it refrains to fund and nurture such unlawful activities around the world.

The development comes ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s speech before the UN General Assembly where he is posed to target India over violence in Kashmir.

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The developments come before the United Nations, in which he is expected to highlight India’s human rights infringement and the “Kashmir dilemma” in the state.

US lawmakers move to designate Pakistan'State Sponsor Of Terrorism