The Pakistan government is rejecting a U.S. intelligence report saying al-Qaida terrorists have received safe haven in northwest Pakistan, calling it unsubstantiated.
In a foreign ministry statement, Pakistan asked Washington to back up the assertions in the report, released on Tuesday.
The U.S. National Intelligence Estimate report warns that terrorists had regained strength by sheltering in Pakistan's troubled tribal areas and are determined to inflict mass casualties in new attacks on the United States.
The Pakistani statement Wednesday says the government would take action to eliminate any al-Qaida hideout if it is given specific intelligence or information. But it added that what is needed is concrete and actionable information and intelligence sharing.
Pakistan also said it would not allow foreign forces to pursue militants on its territory.
The U.S. report also questioned a controversial peace deal that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made with pro-Taleban tribal leaders last year. The report says the deal -- which was renounced by militants this week - has helped terrorists set up training an operational camps.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
