Musharraf calls for British counter-terrorist strategy during London trip

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Jan 29, 2008, 7:35 GMT

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf (R) addresses a press conference with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown inside 10 Downing Street, in London, 28 January 2008. AFP PHOTO/SHAUN CURRY/WPA POOL/AFP EPA/SHAUN CURRY

(M&C) - Saying his country was the victim of misconceptions, Pakistan president, Pervez Musharraf called for a British counter-terrorist strategy during his UK visit.

He added that British Islamic extremism was a problem for the UK government and should fashion a credible counter-terrorist policy rather than blame Pakistan.

Speaking prior to a meeting with Gordon Brown, Mr Musharraf said; "We have adopted a five-point strategy. You need to adopt a similar strategy to curb this kind of tendency in youngsters, who tend to become terrorists, because merely getting hold of them and punishing them legally does not solve the problem or get to the root of the problem," he said.

The president was reacting to British criticism of his record against preventing extremist violence. In his country's defence he outlined his government's tactics against jihadist groups, including the banning of the radical Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.

"We have banned them in Pakistan, yet we are blamed [and they say] we are doing nothing," he said. "You haven't banned them yet. So why blame us?"

British officials have said they have no evidence that the group is supporting terrorism.

Mr Musharraf rejected criticism of his government anti-terror record saying Pakistan was a "key ally in combating terrorism and extremism".