Monday, June 6 2005 15:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

'Violence in Pak not terrorism acts': Observing that the incidents of violence in Pakistan are not "terrorist acts" but "sectarian violence", President Pervez Musharraf has 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 while addressing a meeting in Abu Dhabi yesterday (Jun 5, 2005).

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'.