Musharraf calls for jihad against preachers of hatred, violence

ISLAMABAD: Under pressure after the London attacks and accused of not doing enough to tackle terrorism, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday night called for jihad against the preachers of hatred and violence.

But in the same breath he said there were extremist organisations operating with impunity in Britain and it should do something about it.

In a televised address to the nation, Musharraf said it was unfortunate that Pakistan was either directly or indirectly dragged into all terror attacks and Islam was being denigrated.

Referring to the London terror strikes, he said three of the four accused had Pakistani parentage. But they were British nationals, born, educated and bred in England.

The General said one of the extremist organisations in Britain had passed an edict on his life but continued to operate freely. While a lot needs to be done internally in Pakistan, “a lot needs to be done in the UK” too, he said.

Musharraf argued that if three of the four accused in the London blasts had been indoctrinated as alleged, what about the fourth accused, a Jamaican? Observing that Pakistan was passing through trying times, Musharraf said instead of blaming and accusing each other, the correct strategy would be to support one another in the joint fight against terrorism.

He regretted that Islam was being dubbed as an extremist religion, which was intolerant and backs terrorism and fundamentalism whereas the religion has clearly spelt out that killing of even one human being is against the entire humanity. “But actions speak louder than words,” he said, adding it besmirched the image of Pakistan and Pakistanis living in Britain.

Switching from Urdu to English, Musharraf said he strongly condemned the recent terror strikes in London. “I don't think the perpetrators of this act can be called human beings,” he said. He urged that Britain and Pakistan should “stand together in this struggle and fight terrorism to the end until we emerge victorious against them and eliminate them”. He hit out at the British media for “casting aspersions” on Pakistan.

Musharraf called on Pakistanis on to join a jihad, or holy war, against the preachers of hatred and violence and announced steps to rein in militant Islamic schools and organisations.

Musharraf said all Islamic schools, or madrasas, would have to register with authorities by December.

“I urge you, my nation, to stand up and wage a jihad against extremism and to stand up against those who spread hatred and chaos in the society,” he said.

He said banned militant groups would not be allowed to re-organise under new names or to raise funds and keeping unauthorised arms would be strictly prohibited and action taken against distribution of literature designed to spread hatred.

He said he was hopeful of resolving all disputes with India, including Jammu and Kashmir, peacefully and judiciously.

“We want peace in the region. That is why we are talking to India to resolve all disputes because of which we have fought three wars,” he said.

“We want a judicious resolution of all disputes, above all the Kashmir issue which should be solved as per the wishes of the Kashmiris,” Musharraf said.