Britain and Pakistan must work closely together for many years to fight terrorism and religious extremism, the leaders of the two countries said today.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf met in the Pakistani city of Lahore for talks on pooling intelligence, combating a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan and structuring a moderate Muslim education programme.
"The president and the prime minister reiterated their determination to counter terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations," the two sides said in a joint statement.
But Musharraf himself has faced longstanding criticism over accusations the Taliban get help in his country.
"Taliban problem is an Afghan problem. It is in the southeast region of Afghanistan, being supported by elements from this side," Musharraf told a news conference with Blair.
"We need to put our house in order, here on our side, and make sure that this support is cut off, but the main battle is in Afghanistan," he said.
Britain has about 5,000 troops in Afghanistan, part of a 31,000-strong NATO-led force battling a revitalised Taliban, who benefit from sanctuaries on the Pakistani side of the lawless frontier.
Musharraf said a military solution alone in Afghanistan would not work and mentioned a peace deal his government has struck with militants in one region on the Afghan border.
He also said Afghanistan needed massive reconstruction help, invoking the Marshall Plan of aid for Europe after World War Two.