ISLAMABAD, June 20: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Monday rejected a claim of former United States Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad that Mulla Omar and some other Taliban leaders were in Pakistan. “If Mr Khalilzad had information that top Taliban leaders were hiding in Pakistan then why did he not share it with the Pakistan government at that time,” the minister said while talking to journalists after inaugurating an anti-polio campaign.

He said Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and Mulla Omar were not in Pakistan.

He said efforts were being made to shatter any remaining parts of the Al Qaeda network in the country.

Mr Sherpao said Pakistan had protested against the statement of Mr Khalilzad through diplomatic channels.

“Such statements can damage Pakistan’s efforts in the war on terror,” he said.

In reply to a question, the minister said leaders of his Pakistan People’s Party had asked Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz that their interests should also be safeguarded in the local bodies’ elections.