WASHINGTON, April 19: The Bush administration appears divided over Pakistan, with one group defending Islamabad as a close ally while the other attacking it as a hidden enemy.

The US envoy in Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad, appears to be the chief representative of the Pakistan-bashers in the US administration while the State Department often advocates the views of those who see Pakistan as a partner in the war against terror.

In his latest tirade against Pakistan, Mr Khalilzad called Pakistan "a sanctuary for the Taliban, Al Qaeda and Hikmatyar's men to plan and to get trained and come back with weapons to attack" US and Afghan forces in Afghanistan.

His assessment contrasts sharply with that of the State Department. Asked to comment on Pakistan's efforts to fight the Taliban and Al Qaeda elements, department's deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said that over the last several months, Pakistan had made "brave and courageous sacrifices" in the war against terror.

"Pakistan has lost soldiers. They've lost resources. But I think in this fight, they have gained the respect and admiration of all of us." He had expressed similar sentiments while commenting on Mr Khalilzad's statement on April 6, rejecting the suggestion that the United States might send its troops into Pakistan to fight Al Qaeda.

"I think that's an eventuality that fortunately, we don't have to deal with at this point," he said.