Pakistan is not doing enough to combat terrorists and extremists in its restive tribal belt where some of the most wanted insurgents are hiding, says a new White House report, which also censured President Asif Ali Zardari's leadership.

"The Pakistan military continued to avoid military engagements that would put it in direct conflict with the Afghan Taliban or the al-Qaeda forces in North Waziristan," the 'Wall Street Journal' reported citing the 27-page White House report which is to be given to Congress.

The declassified report seen by the 'Journal' also expressed concerns about Pakistan's refusal to send more troops to the lawless tribal area, which is believed to be hiding some of the most wanted insurgents who are attacking American troops in Pakistan.

"This is as much a political choice as it is a reflection of an under-resourced military prioritising its targets," the report said.

The White House report could strain relations between the two allies and also cause Congress to cutback on billions of dollars of aid, according to the paper.

In South Waziristan, the report noted Pakistan was unable to stabilise the area after clearing it of militants, which leads to operations advancing slowly.

There, "the military largely stayed close to the roads and did not engage against those (Pakistani Taliban) militants who returned after fleeing into North Waziristan," it said.

Noting that Islamabad had provided 140,000 soldiers in tribal areas, the report said the Pakistani military was nonetheless constrained to disrupting and displacing extremists groups without making lasting gains against the insurgency.

It underlined the growing frustration among US officials with Pakistan, which insists that it is the worst victim of terrorism as well as the one paying the heaviest price for combating it, the WSJ said.

"The report reflects there are real challenges we have with Pakistan," said an Obama administration official, noting that these problems were being discussed with Pakistan.

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