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Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Monday said he was on the verge of unveiling a plan to deal with terrorism in the country, and added that he was analysing the list of 20 criminals and terrorists wanted by India.
Addressing a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Islamabad, he said, "We have a wholesome plan to checking extremism and bringing balance and tolerance within our society."
"We are taking steps within Pakistan to bring some degree of normalcy and balance by introducing a tolerant society, checking militancy within our society. We know we have been of victim of sectarian terrorism. All that is being addressed and a final decision will be given when I address the nation in a few days time," Musharraf said.
Asked if he discussed with Blair the list of 20 criminals and terrorists given by India to Pakistan for action, Musharraf said, "Yes, we did talk about the list of names. Let me say that we have not fully analysed or gone into the details of the individuals included in the list.
"I am in the process of analysing them. One does look forward to evidence against each one of them and we will take our decision after analysing the situation," he said.
Musharraf's remarks on Monday were characterised by a lack of reference to Kashmir while talking about dealing with terrorism in Pakistan.
Asked about the present military tensions between India and Pakistan, Musharraf said, "I would say we have not moved another step forward even if we have not exactly moved a step back from the brink of war."
"My interaction with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee (during the SAARC summit in Kathmandu on Sunday) although informal, was useful," Musharraf said.
Musharraf, in his opening statement at the press conference, spoke of "dangerous military build-up and belligerent statements" from the Indian side in contrast to the "restraint" from Pakistan.
He said in view of the prevailing tension urgent steps were needed to de-escalate the tension at the India-Pakistan borders.
Replying to a question about the deployment of Pakistani troops on the Afghan borders, Musharraf said Pakistan's commitment to guard the western borders to prevent infiltration of Al Qaeda and Taliban militia cadres remained "firm and consistent".
"Pakistan is conscious of its responsibility on the western borders. We understand that it is a matter of serious concern to the international community. Pakistan only hopes that the tensions with India do not rise to such an extent that we are forced to move our troops from the western borders. We favour de-escalation on the eastern borders," he said.
Blair and Musharraf spoke of enhancing the need for promoting defence cooperation between the two countries.
For his part, Blair praised Musharraf for the "courageous and bold" stand taken in dealing with the situation emerging out of the September 11 terrorist attacks against the United States.
Blair arrived in Islamabad on Monday from New Delhi and was scheduled to return to India from where he would leave for home.
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