US Congress introduces Pak 'terrorism accountability' bill

A far-reaching legislation has been introduced in the US Congress that would deduct $50 million from the aid to Islamabad for every American killed by terrorists operating from the safe havens in Pakistan with the "support" of ISI.

"Pakistan has for decades leveraged radical terrorist groups to carry out attacks in India and Afghanistan," Congressman Dana Rohrabacher said introducing the 'Pakistan Terrorism Accountability Act of 2012'.

The legislation would require the Department of Defence to list all Americans killed by terrorist groups operating with impunity inside Pakistan and Afghanistan and supported by elements of Pakistani government.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher introduced the 'Pakistan Terrorism Accountability Act of 2012'. Reuters

For each person killed, $50 million would be subtracted from US foreign assistance to Pakistan -- a requested $2.2 billion -- and given to the victim's family.

"For too long America has funded the Pakistani government, giving it free money, while elements of the ISI and Pakistan's military operate radical Islamic groups that are actively murdering Americans. Americans will not accept this," Rohrabacher, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, said.

"Pakistan helped to create the Taliban and Pakistan's intelligence service hid Osama bin Laden from the US for years. Today, one of the most dangerous and sophisticated groups killing American troops in Afghanistan is the Haqqani Network, which is closely operated by the Pakistani government," Rohrabacher said.

The legislation says Pakistan, through ISI, maintains control and influence in Afghanistan through militant groups like Haqqani network, to secure its strategic position and expand its sphere of influence, not only in Afghanistan, but also in Kashmir and against India.

Asserting that ISI has strong links with the Haqqani network, the legislation said that it shall be the policy of the US to limit the United States foreign assistance to Islamabad if Pakistan's military or intelligence services continue to support or provide assistance to organisations that target American citizens.

"Of the amounts made available for assistance to Pakistan for fiscal year 2013 or any subsequent fiscal year, the President shall withhold $50 million for each United States citizen who is killed as a result of actions of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) or support provided by the ISI to other organisations or individuals, including the Haqqani Network," it said.

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, had earlier said the ISI directed the Haqqani network to plan and conduct "the assault on our embassy (in Kabul in September 2011) ... We also have credible evidence that they were behind the June 28th attack against the Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul."

Mullen had also said "the Haqqani network acts as a veritable arm of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency."

PTI