LONDON, July 19: British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Tuesday he was “anxious” for Pakistani authorities to crack down on hardline Islamic schools, which some of the London bombers are thought to have attended.

Britain had been working with the Pakistani government to take measures against madressas, or seminaries, which might teach extremist views, Mr Blair told reporters in London.

He and his government were “very anxious to make sure that the measures are taken that do deal with the extremist teaching in these places,” the prime minister said.

“And I am sure that is in the interest of Pakistan as well, because Pakistan suffers from these terrorists,” he added.—AFP

APP adds: Mr Blair said Britain was working with Pakistan to deal with extremism and tackling it was also in the interest of the latter.

He made these remarks in response to a question during his joint press conference at the 10-Downing Street with visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday.

“I have spoken to President Musharraf about this and we have spoken to him in recent days. It is important and I know that Pakistani Government believes this,” said Mr Blair, adding Pakistan had taken the steps in order “to root out those things giving rise to this extremism.” Three of the four suspected suicide bombers were British Muslims of Pakistani origin.