BBC News | Investigating Al-Qaeda

Pakistan's ISI probably knows as much about the finances of al-Qaeda as anyone outside the organisation itself. That is hardly surprising, since elements of the shadowy military intelligence service were for many years among the Taleban's chief supporters in Afghanistan.

Some outsiders might have hoped to capitalise on this experience after 11 September. But there are suspicions that the ISI still contains representatives of the more radical Islamic factions within the powerful Pakistani military. And whatever General - now President - Pervez Musharraf may say to the world, the ISI is unlikely to become more forthcoming any time soon.





		Founded:	1948

		Budget:	Secret. Discussing Pakistan's immense defence budget in public is illegal.

Go to:		In Depth Report