ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: President Pervez Musharraf sought to justify his emergency rule on Thursday, saying that foreign militants based in Pakistan were planning terrorist attacks around the world.

He said that Pakistan had to “get our own house in order” and then show its efforts to the West.

“Foreigners are sitting here and are planning terrorism all over the world,” Gen Musharraf said in a weekly televised question-and-answer session broadcast on the PTV.

“We have caught people who had maps of European countries and targets there. They (the West) are asking us to eliminate these people,” he said.

“We are also concerned because these people are also carrying out suicide bombings inside Pakistan.”

Gen Musharraf cited a surge in attacks by Al Qaeda and Taliban militants as well as an ‘unruly judiciary’ for imposing the state of emergency.

At the time he asked his Western allies for understanding, saying Pakistan was tackling militants on their behalf.

“We have to put our own house into order and then talk to the West. They recognise our efforts,” the president said.

He also appealed to the nation to back his emergency measures. “People will have to join hands with the government, they will have to rise and understand that Pakistan faces this huge challenge,” he said. “I will ask the entire nation to join hands to fight terrorism and extremism.” Gen Musharraf said the armed forces were well-equipped and fully prepared to protect the country. He said a combination of force and dialogue were being used against the people who are still caught up in a time wrap.

He said that law-enforcement personnel had arrested a number would-be suicide bombers, terrorists and masterminds.

The president said the security situation was affecting tourism and economic activities in the country. “It is the common man who is suffering the most,” he added.

He said Pakistan was pursuing a policy of minimum defence deterrence and had quantified its military strategy according to the threat level.

The president said there was no martial law in the country and the civilian government was working smoothly and was in a transition phase towards complete civil rule.—Agencies