Monday, June 6 2005 16:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dubai: Claiming that Pakistan has "satisfied" the concerns of the international community and cleared off the charge of supporting cross-border terrorism in Kashmir, President Pervez Musharraf has said the country is now being given "weightage" in global politics.

Pakistan has been cleared off charges of interfering in Afghanistan, supporting cross-border terrorism in Kashmir and selling nuclear technology, he said while addressing a meeting in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi yesterday (Jun 5, 2005).

"We have satisfied the concerns of the international community and the world has accepted our position, giving weightage to the country in global politics," he said.

He also said that the incidents of violence were not acts of terrorism but sectarian violence and urged his countrymen to stop supporting madrasas and elements indulging in such activities.

"Unfortunately we are dealing with extremism and sectarianism. It is sects that are fighting each other. All these bomb blasts in Pakistan you see and hear about are not terrorist acts but sectarian violence. The killers are Muslims and those dying are also Muslims," he said.

Musharraf, who also paid an official visit to Qatar, urged Pakistanis to condemn and stop supporting organisations and elements fuelling sectarian violence and hatred back home.

"Please request your people, relatives and members of your families back home to stop supporting elements and madrasas that are spreading hatred. Don't support them, don't fall prey to their literature of hatred," he was quoted as saying in 'Gulf News'.