ISLAMABAD, July 21: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday that Pakistan stood by the United Kingdom in the fight against terrorism and announced that a special cell would ensure registration of seminaries in the country by December 2005. Addressing the nation on radio and television, he said the UK and Pakistan needed to take ‘serious measures’ urgently to eradicate the menace of terrorism rather than blaming each other for London bombings.

The president said that while Pakistan had launched a crackdown on banned extremist outfits, the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair should also see to it that organizations like Hizbul Tehrir and Al Muhajiroon were not allowed to operate in Britain.

He expressed concern over aspersions being cast on Pakistan in the wake of London bombings, stressing that the burden of eliminating terrorism did not rest just on Pakistan.

“There is lot to be done in England. Three of four suicide bombers had Pakistani origin but they were bred and educated in London,” the president said.

He emphasized that the West should help resolve political disputes facing the Muslim world which, he said, were at the roots of extremism and terrorism. He said he had proposed two-pronged strategy of enlightened moderation – one prong to be delivered by the Muslim world and the other by the West. It would be a win-win situation for all, he said.

Gen Musharraf declared that no banned organization would be allowed to operate in the country under any name and strict action would be taken against violators. He said that possession and display of unauthorized arms was strictly prohibited.

He warned that stringent action would be taken against elements involved in printing, publication and distribution of hate material, including newspapers, magazines, handbills and pamphlets, and audio and video material. “Banned organizations will not be allowed to collect any kind of donations and action will be taken against those giving hate-containing sermons in mosques on Fridays,” he said.

The president said he was happy that the last OIC Summit had accepted his strategy of enlightened moderation. Eminent persons of the OIC had held three meetings and their recommendations would give a new dynamism and a charter to the Organization of Islamic Conference. He hoped that the special OIC Summit in Makkah would adopt it.

He sought support of countrymen in the fight against extremism and terrorism and in promoting the real essence and true values of Islam for the cause of Pakistan. He asked people to wage jihad against those fanning hatred and preaching violence in society in the name of religion.

He stressed the need for ridding the society of extremism and terrorism, saying that proponents of these theories were causing harm to Pakistan by their actions. “They are bringing a bad name to our great religion of Islam by spreading hatred and chaos in society,” he said.

He asked the nation to reject such elements in the upcoming local government elections and vote for those who wanted to steer the country towards progress and prosperity.

The president said that the world was in turmoil with innocent people being killed in bomb blasts and suicide attacks, adding that those involved in these acts as well as its sufferers were unfortunately all Muslims.

He condemned the acts of terrorism in London and said those involved in those incidents were not human beings. He said these elements claimed to be committing such acts in the name of Islam, but in Islam killing one innocent person amounted to killing the entire humanity.

Gen Musharraf said that by such heinous acts these extremist elements were not achieving anything other than bringing a bad name to Islam and the Muslims.

Pakistan, he said, was fully contributing to world affairs, Ummah and the region, adding that the government’s positive actions would benefit the coming generations and Pakistan’s contribution for the cause of world peace would raise its stature in the comity of nations.

He said the Ummah was on a descending course despite having enormous resources and called for acquiring modern scientific knowledge to have a voice in the world.

He said Pakistan’s destiny was closely linked to that of the Ummah and as an important country of the Muslim world Pakistan was playing a leading role in the fight against terrorism. He said collective efforts should be made to put the Ummah on road to progress.

Gen Musharraf emphasized the need for imparting modern education, alongside religious education in seminaries. In the Holy Quran, he pointed out, word ilm had appeared 800 times reflecting the importance Islam gave to acquisition of knowledge.

In his almost hour-long speech, the president traced the roots of extremism and terrorism in Pakistan back to the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. He said jihad against the Soviet occupation was launched by the West with the support of Pakistan which recruited, trained and equipped thousands of Mujahideen coming from all around the Muslim world. This had its impact on Pakistani society.

He said Pakistan’s international standing had enhanced over the past five years as it had gained a prominent place in the comity of nations. He said the economy was strong and would improve in coming years.

He said that the foundation of “real democracy” had been laid in the country and hoped that it would not be derailed. He said the focus would remain on transferring the benefits of economic development to the masses by reducing poverty, providing jobs and checking price-hike.

The president appealed to the nation to pray to Allah Almighty in the Friday prayer to protect Pakistan against extremism and guide its people to follow the true and enlightened values of Islam.