ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Defence Syed Naveed Qamar said that Pakistan had received USD 1.36 billion under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) program from the United States, DawnNews reported on Thursday.

Speaking to media representatives, Qamar said Pakistan had received USD 1.36 billion under the CSF program whereas a balance amount of USD 2 billion stood outstanding.

The defence minister further said that the procedure of receiving CSF payments was being improved, adding that, the CSF could not be categorised as  aid rather as payment of expenses incurred by Pakistan in its assistance to the US in the war in Afghanistan.

Qamar also said that Pakistan wanted to develop its own drone system which he said was currently in its initial stages. The minister added that the drone program would help in improving security in the country.

Qamar said that during his recent meeting with US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman, matters related to the war in Afghanistan were discussed and that the issue of Shakil Afridi’s release was not brought up in the meeting.

The defence minister stated that no developments had taken place in the investigations on the Kamra base attack.