Musharraf condemns Islamic militants

Musharraf has banned several extremist groups

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has marked the 55th anniversary of independence from Britain with a stinging condemnation of Islamic militants in the country.

General Musharraf accused what he called an insignificant minority of holding Pakistan to ransom with their misconceived view of Islam.

Six died in the attack at a missionary school in Murree

He said a string of attacks on foreigners and Christians this year were both despicable and shameful and the death of innocent people served only to tarnish the image of Pakistan.

Ahead of the speech police in Pakistan said they had arrested at least 16 suspected members of militant groups in a series of raids in Punjab province.

Outlawed groups

A senior police official said those detained in the two-day operation included members of the outlawed militant groups, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

Both groups are suspected of involvement in last week's attacks on a Christian hospital in the northern town of Taxila and a Christian school in the town of Murree, which left 10 people dead.

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Correspondents say the attacks have raised fears of a new wave of militancy aimed at Christian and Western targets.

The militant groups have been angered by Pakistan's support for the American-led war on terrorism, following the 11 September attacks on the United States.

In his speech General Musharraf said Pakistan's authorities had a long-term strategy in place to deal with militant groups, many of which, he said had already been broken up.

Security at the convention centre in Islamabad where General Musharraf made his address to the nation was extremely tight.

Election focus

During last year's independence day celebrations, General Musharraf announced nationwide elections would be held in October this year, and despite the turbulent events of the past 12 months the focus at the moment is again on the polls.

The president has come under fire for his amendments to the constitution which appear designed to prevent former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto from returning from abroad to take power, as well as strengthening the hand of the military.

The BBC's Susannah Price in Islamabad says General Musharraf lost support during the year because of his controversial referendum to stay in power for another five years.

The recent upsurge in violence and its effect on international confidence will be one of the main challenges for the president in the months ahead, our correspondent says.