SARAJEVO, April 27: Pakistan and Bosnia on Friday ratified three agreements to launch an air service, collaborate in defence industry and establish a joint economic chamber.

Addressing a joint news conference here with his Bosnian counterpart Nebojsa Radmanovic after discussing bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest, President Pervez Musharraf said terrorism was a matter of concern for the whole world. “'We need coordination to fight it.” He said mainly bilateral issues had been discussed in the meeting.

The two countries also signed an instrument for ratification of an agreement on avoiding double taxation.

Gen Musharraf said the two countries had agreed to realise the potential of their friendly attachment and convert it into economic, commercial and trade gains. They had decided to bring the private sectors of the two countries closer to each other, he said.

In reply to a question, he said: “As far as my election is concerned, it is for the people of Pakistan to decide.”

In an interview with Al Jazeera, the president said: “We will hold the general elections by end of this year and then I will make up my mind about the uniform,” he said.

He said Afghanistan should stop accusing Pakistan about its internal situation and understand the realities where the Afghan people were now joining the ranks of Taliban.

He said the Taliban were Afghans, based inside Afghanistan, and now non-Taliban leaders like Gulbuddin Hikmatyar were also joining the fight against the government and coalition forces.

He said Afghan President Hamid Karzai was trying to make a scapegoat of Pakistan.

About his forthcoming meeting in Turkey with the Afghan leader, he said: “We want to move forward in a better way.”

Referring to the country’s relations with India, he said: “Kashmiri leaders need to move forward.” If India was willing to step back, then Pakistan was also ready to do so, he said.

About accusations from India, he said: “They do not have any proof about Pakistan’s involvement in any act of terrorism.”

Replying to a question about Lal Masjid, the president said the government was not taking any strict action because the situation could deteriorate.

Gen Musharraf said there were only 4,000 people brought in by all political parties, while there were 8,000 in the rally of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League during the last hearing of the Supreme Judicial Council.

He said the coalition forces must not leave Iraq till they ensured stability in the country.—PPI/APP