Thursday, July 21 2005 17:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Continuing its crackdown on extremist groups and madrassas, Pakistan police today (July 21, 2005) detained another 100 people in the search for clues to the London bombings as the main Islamists alliance geared up to launch nationwide protests against the Government's campaign.

As over 300 persons were detained in the nationwide campaign, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz defended the arrests, saying they were aimed against extremist elements and part of the fight against terrorism and in the national interest, which would ensure peace in the country.

Hundreds of clerics and students, including those from seminaries frequented by the three Pakistan-origin London bombers, were detained in raids across the country, media reports said.

Muthahida Majlis Amal (MMA) announced yesterday (July 20, 2005) that it would hold nationwide protests during Friday prayers and accused President Pervez Musharraf of launching the crackdown to "please" the leaders of western countries in the aftermath of the London bombings.

The crackdown was not launched to please any country or on the directives of any country. Pakistan is an independent country that took decisions without any foreign interference, Aziz said, adding, "We know what is in the interest of our country."

In reply to a question, he said the arrest of extremist elements was not against any specific segment of society or seminaries but only against those elements who were creating sectarianism and spreading extremism.