Afghanistan's ruling Taliban regime now looks increasingly isolated, as Pakistan says it has seen sufficient proof that Osama bin Laden was behind the terrorist attacks on the US.
This is the strongest support Islamabad has so far shown for the US, which is seeking the Islamic fundamentalist in connection with attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Centre in New York.
A Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the evidence related to both the 11 September attacks, in which some 5,700 people were feared killed, as well as previous deadly anti-US attacks for which bin Laden is wanted for trial.
"This material certainly provides sufficient basis for indictment in a court of law," he said, without giving details. The Taliban has refused to hand over Saudi-born bin Laden, who is staying in their country as a "guest".
Even though Pakistan is yet to withdraw its unique diplomatic recognition of the Taliban, it says it is unwilling to share the US-supplied evidence with the Afghan rulers.
The Taliban has previously threatened to attack any country which assists possible US military strikes.
The US President, George W Bush, has announced that his government is giving $320m in urgent humanitarian aid to ease the refugee problem in Afghanistan.
Mr Bush said that, while he firmly opposed the Taliban regime, the United States was a friend to the Afghan people. The money includes $25m in previously announced aid.
In a separate development, the Taliban is planning to put British journalist Yvonne Ridley on trial for illegally entering the country.
The Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister was quoted in the Afghan Islamic Press as saying that she would be tried because she broke the laws of their land and entered their country without permission.
Ms Ridley, who works for Britain's Sunday Express newspaper, was picked up along with her two guides close to the eastern city of Jalalabad last Friday.
