WASHINGTON: The Obama administration must equip Pakistan with additional necessary intelligence and mobility capability to help the South Asian ally perform more effectively in the fight against terror, former US Secretary of State Colin Powell said.

“I just met with General Kayani…a few weeks ago. And he's got a tough problem. This is the most difficult terrain imaginable. And he has troops, but he doesn't have the kind of mobility or intelligence capability that he needs,” Powell told CNN.

“So if there's one recommendation I would give to our government, we've got to do a better job of giving General Kayani and the Pakistani armed forces the wherewithal to get into these very difficult areas,” the former top US commander added.

He told the channel that Pakistan was facing a massive challenge in the difficult terrain.

“It is a difficult terrain. I mean, we — we often think about that region as if you can just go anywhere you want in a few hours. And we — we have to keep this in mind, too, when we talk about Pakistan, because our Pakistani friends are an important part.”

Powell said the US understands the problem.

“And I think they are trying to provide him more resources, more money. But I still think it's inadequate to the task that he's facing,” he remarked.