Tuesday, September 12 2006 16:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Supported by the Bush administration but derided by sections of media and American think tanks for his role in the fight against terrorism, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf is critical of what he calls the US 'tactics of implementation'.

He wants the US and all concerned to determine "the end-objective" in countering terrorism and extremism.

"Unfortunately, we are involved in tactics of implementation, with less focus on strategy, what is the end-objective and how to achieve it," he was quoted as saying in The News International newspaper, before he left for Brussels on way to the UN and the US.

His remarks come on a day of bouquets and brickbats hurled at Pakistan - the anniversary of 9/11, the terror attack five years ago when the source of terror was found in Pakistan and the Pakistan-backed Taliban regime in neighbouring Afghanistan.

He said he would discuss the issue with President George W. Bush during his meeting scheduled for later this week.

When asked whether he would float any fresh ideas at the UN General Assembly, Musharraf said he believed in "bringing out strategies to deal with world issues, including those related to terrorism and extremism". He said there was need for an overall strategy and an implementation mechanism to address the issues.

He said he would discuss bilateral issues with President Bush.

Musharraf, who has been invited by Bush to an 'Iftar' (breaking of fast during Ramadan) at the White House, along with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, said the event has its own significance.

The two met in Kabul last week when the management of their volatile border was discussed. They agreed to work out means to prevent illegal crossing, mainly by the Taliban who operate from safe havens in Pakistan and attack the Karzai government's forces.

"We have already resolved our misunderstandings between Afghanistan and Pakistan during the recent visit to the neighbouring country. But maybe we consolidate that further, when we meet again with President Bush so that in the future we have a concerted strategy and trust each other in our fight against terrorism and extremism," he said.

Before crossing the Atlantic, Musharraf is also to address the Foreign Relations Committee of the European Parliament. "We will apprise them about the realities about Pakistan, its focus on counter-terrorism, extremism and also address their concerns about democracy, human rights and tell them the facts," the president said.

The West has generally been critical of Pakistan's human rights records.