LONDON, July 27: British Foreign Secretary David Miliband in an interview for “BBC Today Programme” said the people of Pakistan want both terrorism and extremism tackled in an effective manner.

Miliband spoke to BBC on “Foreign Policy and Importance of Pakistan” at the conclusion of his visit to Islamabad, his first since becoming the new Foreign Secretary in Gordon Brown's Cabinet.

He said after attending a meeting of Pakistani Youth Parliament there was no question among the people there that they want to see 'enlightened moderation' and want extremism to be tackled.

“There are different views about the way to do it among the students and the young people. But I think that we shouldn't fall for the trap of thinking that there's a choice for countries like Pakistan between looking West to us and looking to their own people.”

On the Red Mosque episode, the British Foreign Secretary said: “The extremist forces here have been set back by the way in which the mosque issue was tackled. I think that there is a strong sense in Pakistan that extremism, terrorism inspired by Al Qaeda is a threat to their country as well as a threat to our country.”

When asked what you would like Pakistan to offer to the UK and how could they assist Britain with the counter-terrorism effort, Miliband responded by saying: “We've got very strong shared interests, first in the Pakistani work on the border area because the Afghan-Pakistan border is absolutely critical.”

He underscored the importance of co-operation between Pakistan and Afghanistan to tackle the threat posed by Al Qaeda. “Obviously the work in tackling terrorism that is linked to the UK is very important as well.”

The foreign secretary said due to effective measures by the forces concerned the much-vaunted Taliban spring offensive has not been able to materialize.

He said the UK was determined to build bilateral and multilateral relations with Pakistan because “it is in UK interest as a country but it is also in the interests of the region and it is very important”.

About talk of Americans taking some unilateral military action in corners of Pakistan if the need arises, Miliband said the US State Department has denied the attribution that was given to their statements but the UK has been very clear that it would work with the Government of Pakistan in economic, social and security fields.—APP