Sydney: Australian Prime Minister John Howard has come in for sharp criticism by media for praising Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for his efforts to fight terrorism with "determination" and "courage".

Howard, while congratulating Musharraf for the arrest of top al-Qaida operative Sheikh Khalid Mohammad, on March 3 told the Parliament, "I do not think there is a world leader who has put more on the line in the fight against world terrorism, in many respects, than General Musharraf.

"I regard his personal courage and leadership on this issue as having been quite outstanding."

Reacting to Howard's remarks, the 'Sydney Morning Herald' said his "Pakistan pin-up is a poor choice. Musharraf is our friend, because he handed over one-one-senior al- Qaida operative, Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, to the Americans.

"Remember this glowing endorsement, for it bears no relation to the emerging truth about the regime in Pakistan, and there is every chance those words will come back to haunt Howard."

Howard had congratulated the agencies of the United States and Pakistan for their "effective work" in bringing about the arrest of Mohammad.

"Particularly may I pay tribute to the stoic, determined and courageous fight of Pakistan leader, General Musharraf, against international terrorism," he said.

Musharraf "and the people of Pakistan deserve respect and admiration of world not only for what they have done in relation to the recent arrest, but also for great determination and leadership they have displayed against considerable odds and in the face of considerable domestic opposition and difficulty in war against terrorism," he said.

PTI