Pakistan's government said today it was confident that fugitives Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar were not in the country, and it would not allow US troops to look for them there.
Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider told Reutersin an interview that Pakistan had good control of its western border with Afghanistan and good co-operation with the semi-autonomous tribesman living there.
As a result, neither Saudi-born dissident bin Laden nor Mullah Omar could have found refuge in Pakistan, he said, rebutting suggestions US troops might need to cross into Pakistan to look for them or their supporters.
"The Pakistani tribesmen living on this side of the Pakistan/Afghan border are very clear. They are co-operating with us and they are acting in a very responsible manner. They will not like to take the risk of harbouring anybody, not at all."
Pakistan, a key partner in the US-led war on terror in neighbouring Afghanistan, has fanned troops out along the long border, which weaves its way through rugged mountains, to keep out fighters from Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network and the Taliban.
"After 22 long years, we have very effective control of our western border," Mr Haider said, adding the army had established 300 checkpoints in the mountain region.
"So we are very confident on this issue and I don't think they (bin Laden or Omar) can find a refuge here."
Pakistan's official APP news agency quoted top military spokesman Major General Rashid Qureshi as saying the US-led coalition forces were fully satisfied with the "exemplary" co-operation given by the Pakistani troops.