UNITED NATIONS, Sept 25: President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday underscored the need to restructure the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in order to “evolve a realistic strategy to secure justice for Islamic people.”

In a brief address to the OIC leadership at a luncheon hosted by him on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly’s special session, Gen Musharraf noted that “Islamic countries have been unable to respond or redress the injustice to which they are being subjected individually or collectively.”

Listing major factors for the crisis in the Muslim world, he said “Most Muslim nations are weak in the fundamentals of state power — economic output and military strength. So far Muslim nations have been unable to act together in defence of Muslim causes, and the major powers have either not helped or, worse, have hindered a just solution of our political and economic problems.”

Referring to his two-pronged strategy which he outlined in his speech to the General Assembly which he called “enlightened moderation,” Gen Musharraf said: “This involves actions by Islamic states — singly and jointly — to overcome their weaknesses and simultaneous support by the advanced countries for the just resolution of disputes and socio-economic development of Islamic countries.”

He said that the forthcoming OIC summit in Kuala Lumpur will offer “an opportunity for our countries to develop a common course to address and overcome all these challenges.”

Meanwhile, the president expressed the hope that India would respond positively to the “action plan” for peace and stability in South Asia which he detailed in his address to the General Assembly.

Talking to Dawn before the luncheon, he said during his meeting with US President Bush earlier in the morning he had asked him to “facilitate” a dialogue between the two countries, on which India is “dragging its feet.”

He said: “I told President Bush about the bold and committed steps taken by Pakistan in respect of so-called cross-border terrorism” which India accuses Pakistan of encouraging.

“We have trust in each other, and President Bush understands this completely,” he added.

Asked about the pressure on Pakistan in respect of sending troops to Iraq, he said there was none, adding: “We have international commitments and we have our domestic environment.”

Gen Musharraf said: “We cannot be an extension of the occupation forces. Besides the mandate from the United Nations we need to organize a force of Muslim nations and a clear-cut request from the Iraqi people for help.”

He said that he did express his concern over the conventional arms imbalance in South Asia and its ramifications on security environment.