WASHINGTON, March 16: The United States wants Pakistan to transform the Frontier Corps into formidable force capable of dealing with Taliban and Al Qaeda extremists in the tribal areas.

During a recent visit to Paris, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard A. Boucher told journalists that the Frontier Corps needed a transformation drive to give the extra capability and training needed to fight terrorism.

“They need to undergo a transformation of developing modern capability,” he said.

Earlier in Paris, Mr Boucher said that the FC not only needed better hardware but also needed to learn new tactics to provide security to the local population, Mr Boucher said.

“They need to adopt more mobile, information-based tactics and operations,” he said.

The US government is expected to provide about $75 million a year for the 80,000-strong Frontier Corps, which patrols the rugged northwest frontier.