Islamabad: Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden may be hiding in Pakistan, claims Nancy Powell, the American Ambassador to Pakistan.

"Osama bin Laden's presence cannot be ruled out in the tribal areas of Pakistan," 'The Daily Times' quoted Powell as saying during the inauguration of a women cell at a police station in Islamabad on August 26.

Powell is not the first person to announce Laden's presence in Pakistan. A few months ago, Pakistan President Musharraf had also admitted that Laden could be hiding somewhere on the Pakistan- Afghanistan border.

Commenting on the plight of women in Pakistan, Nancy diplomatically said that she was aware about some of the crimes committed against them.

"Now the reporting centre will recruit women to highlight crimes being reported by their female fellows," she said.

On US-Pak relations the envoy said that it was a mutual partnership and Washington would continue to aid Islamabad in its development and progress.

ANI