Islamabad, June 11: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said attempts to impose strict Islamic laws by the opposition alliance Muthahida Majlis Amal in the North West Frontier Province damaged the country's image abroad and could cast a shadow on his forthcoming visits to US, UK, France and Germany. "I am proceeding to the US, the UK, France and Germany, where I shall try to present the true picture of Islam. But extremist approach would wash away all the projects and the goodwill Pakistan has won abroad," he said while inaugurating the Japanese built road tunnel at Kohat in NWFP yesterday.
Without directly referring to MMA and its efforts to bring in Taliban style, Shariat law in NWFP currently governed by it, Musharraf said such an attempt could also reinforce the view abroad that Pakistan was an extremist society, harbouring terrorists. "We are dubbed as intolerant and extremist society because of the unwarranted approach of some elements, which further cement the impression as Pakistan was harbouring terrorism," he said in a speech at the function which was attended by among others the Chief Minister of NWFP and MMA leader Akram Durani.
Musharraf was also critical of the MMA's decision to declare the veil as compulsory for women and its efforts to introduce an Islamic dress code for men. "What we want to convey outside Pakistan through such acts. These are non-issues as far as governance is concerned. Don't make them issues. Be tolerant and don't force others to obey," he said. Bureau Report