Melbourne: Australia today asked Pakistan to do more to combat Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters operating in its tribal areas, maintaining that there was "significant leakage" of militants across the border into Afghanistan.

During a meeting with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in Sanya, China, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd discussed the role of Islamabad in the war against Taliban and al-Qaeda, apart from bilateral economic and political ties. Rudd told Musharraf that he needs to take more action against the Taliban in remote tribal areas of Pakistan, Australia s ABC radio reported.

"It is a difficult frontier and I recognise that... He (Musharraf) in recent times has put in a renewed political effort in what's called the north-west frontier provinces. "But the point that I've made to him is that our advice is still that there is significant leakage across the border that doesn't help those responsible for security within Afghanistan," Rudd said.

He also raised western media reports that elements of the Pakistani military are supporting the Taliban, but Musharaf denied that, the Australian Prime Minister said. Prior to the meeting, Rudd attacked Pakistan for not strengthening its efforts in the battle, saying he understood Pakistan's difficulties in the fight against terrorism, but concerns had been rising recently over its efforts.

Their "cooperation, particularly on the question of the cross-border flow of Taliban and al-Qaeda operatives, could be significantly enhanced. I'm concerned at the extent to which.. in recent months that cooperation has become less than it could otherwise be," The Age quoted him as saying.

Source : PTI