ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday said strict action would be taken against elements involved in publication of 'inflammatory' material.

The president told a delegation of Ulema and Mashaikh, who had called on him at Aiwan-i-Sadr, that the government would continue its fight against extremism and terrorism and deal strictly with anyone found involved in spreading hate material.

He said those who tried to fan sectarian hatred through posters and other publications not only worked against the interests of the country but their actions also ran counter to the spirit of Islam.

Commenting on Ulema's mention of some inciting material finding its way into the country from abroad, the president said the authorities concerned would be directed to foil such attempts.

Gen Musharraf thanked religious scholars for endorsing his policies and said a paramount responsibility devolved on them to take forward the collective resolve against extremism.

Only concerted efforts, he emphasized, could foil the designs of extremist forces who wanted to impose their will on the moderate majority. Referring to some delegates' complaint about drawbacks in the Zakat distribution system, the president agreed that Zakat should be disbursed equitably, fairly and transparently.

He assured them that the government would look into the points raised by them for improvement in the Zakat distribution system. The president expressed the hope that Ulema and Mashaikh would use their influence to inspire sectarian harmony during Muharram.

The delegates suggested the formation of a central consultative body to achieve national cohesion, sectarian harmony and brotherhood. The proposed body, they said, should work in tandem with provincial chapters to achieve the objective. They reaffirmed their support to the president in eliminating extremism and terrorism from society.

IT POTENTIAL: Addressing the inaugural session of a seminar on E-government, Gen Musharraf said Pakistan had the potential to become a leading nation in Information Technology by exploiting its resources.