Close to two dozen US senators introduced a bill in the Senate to launch a full-blown inquiry into Pakistan’s alleged involvement in Afghanistan prior to and following the capture of Kabul by Afghan Taliban, as well as Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2020.
US Senator Jim Rasch filed the motion on behalf of 21 other Republican lawmakers. They have asked for an assessment of those entities that supported the Taliban, which could include providing “sanctuary space, financial support, intelligence support, logistics and medical support, training, equipping, and tactical, operational, or strategic direction” between 2001 and 2020.
The bill also seeks an investigation into Pakistani state or non-state sponsored support for the Taliban to fight the Panjshir resistance in 2021.
The bill also called upon the United Nations to not recognize Afghanistan’s new leadership or offer them a seat at any international forum. Sanctions were also sought for individuals found guilty of supporting Taliban, drug trafficking, terrorism, or human rights abuses in Afghanistan.
This wouldn’t be the first time the US has hinted at possible penalties for Pakistan. Several historic moments saw Pakistan sanctioned by the US for its nuclear operations. According to the 1985 Pressler Amendment, US suspended economic and military aid to pressurize Pakistan into ceasing development of its nuclear capacity. Pakistan emerged unscathed from the ban after Saudi Arabia donated oil worth two billion dollars to the country.
Another sanction, the Symington Amendment was imposed in 1979 after the construction of a uranium enrichment facility in Pakistan. A similar sanction was imposed during former US president Bill Clinton’s regime after Pakistan conducted nuclear testing in 1998 and then underwent a military coup orchestrated by former president General Pervaiz Musharraf in 1999. The various sanctions were lifted by former president George W. Bush after Pakistan cooperated with US in investigating the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001.
