In the April report, we pointed out that the US lacks a comprehensive strategy; it does not include key elements. In that, we are looking for a strategy to be developed and agreed upon by the various agencies that have a role, and not just the department of defence. Intelligence agencies, diplomatic efforts and the USAID, for development assistance, have to be working together in a collaborative effort to deal with this issue.

To revert to the disbursements, we are talking a very big amount. Where has it gone?

Part of the money has gone to the Pakistani government to reimburse military operations. The Pakistan government has been given over $10 billion. And, we have reported that at least $7 billion has been spent on the military focus. So we are talking about 70 per cent of the money. The focus for all the money, even outside the FATA, that's gone to Pakistan was for the military.

Do you think that military focus has an India angle to it?

Again, the focus is on the Afghan-Pakistan border region. We understand the US has been spending money for that reason and not for any other initiatives.

But it's an open secret that they are using some funds for military purposes, and that is obviously against India.

Well, the GAO is not agreeing. We are pointing out that there is a disagreement among and within the department of defence. The officer of defence representatives have raised concerns about whether or not it is proper to reimburse them for the air defence radars, because there is no air attack capability with respect to Al Qaeda or the Taliban.

However, CENTCOM as well as the comptroller's office does know that radars have assisted in some sort of efforts in respect to the US military. To control air traffic in Afghanistan, over Pakistan and in some air operations in FATA, radars were used according to the defence department.

There is evidence that the Al Qaeda threat still exists...

We have concluded, and the entire intelligence community has concluded, that the Al Qaeda threat exists, and they are even more dangerous now than they have been. And they are planning their next attacks.

What's next?

What's next for us is to see if the department of defence actually starts to implement the recommendations we have, particularly in respect to the comprehensive strategy being completed. And that strategy needs to be done in conjunction with the newly elected Pakistani government. So the US will have to work closely with that government in getting some sort of agreed upon strategy for how we want to approach the terrorist threat and close safe havens in Pakistan, which is why we make the recommendations.

Image: A resident shows a leaflet the Pakistan government dropped from helicopters in Imamdehri, a village of Swat valley in the North West Frontier Province, urging the people to support law enforcement agencies in tracking down militants. Photograph: Tariq Mahmood/AFP/Getty Images.

Also read: Analysis: Why the US is losing patience with Pakistan

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