ISI involved in Afghan violence: US

But the relationship has come under greater scrutiny over the past two years as the militant threat has grown in the tribal areas, and fighters have poured out of those safe havens into Afghanistan.

“I don’t believe we can get to the right outcome in Afghanistan as long as these militant sanctuaries exist across the border,” McKiernan said.

“We’ve seen the increased numbers of foreign fighters in eastern and southern Afghanistan this year, and there is an expectation that the leadership in Pakistan will do something about these militant sanctuaries in their country,” he said.

McKiernan said Al-Qaeda is heavily involved in the insurgency.

“Al-Qaeda provides financing, they help recruit fighters, they help with logistics, command and control, intelligence for the Taliban,” he said.