In its annual review on global human rights, the US State Department reproached the government of President Pervez Musharraf for intimidating and arresting opposition figures. It also said the credibility of Pakistan's judiciary was "low."

"In Pakistan, abuse by members of the security forces, ranging from extrajudicial killings to excessive use of force, is widespread," the State Department's 2003 review said.

"Corruption and inefficiency remained acute, although reforms initiated by the Musharraf government to reduce corruption have had some effect on officials at higher levels of government," the report noted.

The criticism fell as Pakistan's security forces continued to support the United States in its manhunt for wanted al-Qaeda terror chief Osama bin Laden.

Washington regards Pakistan as a key regional ally in its war-on-terror and the Musharraf government has said it will hand bin Laden over to Washington if he is apprehended on Pakistani soil.

The US report, however, criticised those same members of the country's security forces for carrying out "numerous serious human rights abuses."

"Security forces used excessive force, at some times resulting in death, and committed or failed to prevent extrajudicial killings of suspected militants and civilians," the report said.

The report targeted police officials for alleged abuse and rape of Pakistani citizens and reproached the country for its "poor" penal conditions.

"Police abused and raped citizens. Prison conditions remained extremely poor and life threatening, and police arbitrarily arrested and detained citizens," the report said.

It said extrajudicial killings under the police had often occurred while suspects were under police custody.

In December, Pakistan's Parliament and president Musharraf approved a package of amendments to the Constitution that consolidated Musharraf's power.

The package included his agreement to step down as Chief of the Army Staff by the end of 2004, confirmed his presidency until 2007, and gave Musharraf authority to dismiss Pakistan's national and provincial assemblies provided the Supreme Court agreed any dissolution.