ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – President Gen. Pervez Musharraf (search) on Thursday vowed to fight religious extremism and said militants like those who carried out the London bombings two weeks ago were defaming Islam.
In a nationally televised address, Musharraf strongly condemned the July 7 bombings in the British capital and said both Pakistan (search) and Britain had to crack down on extremists operating in their countries.
"We certainly have a problem here which we are trying to address. England has a problem also," Musharraf said.
Britain's high commissioner in Islamabad (search) said no suspects linked to the July 7 London bombings were in detention.
"I don't think the perpetrators of this act can be called human beings," Musharraf said. "We stand together in the fight against terrorism."
However, the president said his country should not be singled out as lax in the fight against terror just because three of the suspected homicide bombers were of Pakistani origin and visited Pakistan last year. He said extremism was a domestic problem in Britain as well.
"They have been born, educated and bred in England," Musharraf said of the bombers, adding that the fourth alleged bomber was a Jamaica-born Briton.
"Where did the Jamaican get indoctrinated?" he asked.
Musharraf promised "stern action" against those involved in the printing, publication and distribution of hate material, including newspapers, magazines, handbills and pamphlets, audio and video material. He said no banned organizations will be allowed to collect donations and action will be taken against those who preach hate in mosques.
Some Western leaders have said Pakistan should do more to curb militancy and that extremists were operating in Islamic schools, or madrassas. Pakistani officials believe one of the suspected London bombers spent some days at a madrassa in the eastern city of Lahore.
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