Pakistan press split on clampdown

The Pakistani government's clampdown on suspected extremists wins the support of the country's mainstream papers, with some calling it long overdue.

However, dissent is stirring among papers with Islamist sympathies, who decry the operations as a sop to the UK and the West.

The Daily Times praises the operations as a return to the firmer line against Islamic extremism the paper says had been quietly abandoned because of opposition from clerics and religious schools.

One can only hope that this time the government is really serious about cracking down The News

"It is a pity that it took 7/7 to shake Pakistan into realising that it needed to deliver what it promised itself after 9/11."

"Precious time has been lost and the enemy has been able to consolidate. There must be no turning back now."

The English-language daily The News agrees.

"One can only hope that this time the government is really serious about cracking down on elements promoting terrorism," the paper says.

But, it adds, there are doubts about the government's real commitment to fighting extremism.

"The public can be forgiven for not holding its breath in anticipation that the Musharraf government has finally decided to walk the walk."

'Environment of fear'

At the other end of the spectrum, the pro-Islamist daily Ausaf accuses the government of creating an "environment of fear in the country" purely to satisfy Western interests.

"Accusing our own citizens of terrorism as a result of Western propaganda is not wise," the paper grumbles. "It will intensify extremist and vengeful sentiments."

Nawa-i-Waqt, which is close to the opposition Muslim League, says London Mayor Ken Livingstone was right to argue that the invasion of Iraq was to blame for the London attacks.

"But," it adds "despite his courageous statement, the eyes of the Muslim rulers could not be opened."

"The blasts occurred in London but they are looking for suspects in Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Karachi," the paper complains.

'Outside pressure'

"The whole atmosphere reeks of outside pressure," says Nawa-i Waqt's English-language sister paper The Nation.

The paper believes terrorism can only be checked if Britain and other Western powers pull out of Iraq and other "injustices" towards Muslims are resolved.

The people should wage jihad against those spreading hatred Khabrain

"Beating about the bush and using force can only create more committed militancy," it says.

However, Khabrain backs moves against extremism announced by President Musharraf on Thursday, saying Pakistan needed internal stability if it to champion the Muslim world.

"For this, it is necessary that the people should wage jihad against those spreading hatred in the name of religion or race," the paper urges.

Jang agrees with this analysis, arguing that "the drive against terrorism is actually a movement to clarify the real identity of Islam and Pakistan".

This, it adds, will help Pakistan "acquire a prominent status in the community of nations and serve a Muslim world faced with the negative propaganda of infidel forces."

BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaus abroad.