The Pakistan Government has said for the first time it no longer has any relations with its old allies, the Taleban.

Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said although they had not yet announced the de-recognition of the Taleban, this did not mean they continued to recognise them.

He said that the government in Kabul had clearly collapsed, and there was no business conducted between Pakistan and whatever was left of the Taleban.

But the country has not completely severed the ties. The Taleban's embassy in Islamabad remains open.

Biggest backer

The Government in Pakistan used to be the Taleban's strongest supporter.

Pakistan was the only country to recognize the Taleban after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates broke off their links.

Even after Pakistan announced its support for the American-led coalition, the Taleban's Islamabad embassy formed an important link between the Afghan regime and the outside world.

Mr Sattar said Pakistan now hoped the United Nations' political process to find a broad-based government for Afghanistan would proceed quickly.

He said they were not hostile to any faction and as the first step, it was important that the UN convene a meeting outside Afghanistan.

"Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan continue and they will be maintained according to our best intentions," he said.