Terrorism 'a threat to the country'

Pakistan must unite to reject and defeat terrorism which poses a threat to the country's independence, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Sunday.

"We have to send a message to the world that our society rejects extremism and is united against it," Aziz said.

But underlining the problems Pakistan faces 58 years after its independence from Britain, autonomy-seeking militants were believed responsible for a string of small attacks in Balochistan province, including a rocket attack on a minister's home.

No one was hurt in the attacks in the gas-rich province.

The international security spotlight fell on Pakistan after four young British suicide bombers, three of them of Pakistani origin, killed themselves and 52 others in blasts in London on July 7.

At least two of the bombers had travelled to Pakistan several times and investigators are trying to determine what they did and who they met.

"Pakistan itself has been suffered from terrorism. Terrorism is a big danger to Pakistan's independence. We will fight this danger for the sake of independence of Pakistan and will defeat it at all levels," Aziz said.

Authorities have rounded up about 600 people in the latest crackdown on militants, launched after the London bombings.

Pakistan's military backed militants fighting Soviet forces occupying neighbouring Afghanistan in the 1980s.

But President General Pervez Musharraf, a staunch US ally, now promotes an ideology of "enlightened moderation" and has embarked on a tentative peace process with India.

Among the problems Musharraf faces is a low-level insurgency in Balochistan province where tribesman say they have been robbed of the benefits of gas resources.

Defiant rebels were apparently sending an Independence Day message with more than 10 small rocket and bomb attacks, including an attack on the home of Social Welfare Minister Zubaida Jalal. No one was hurt, security officials said.

Speaking of the peace process with India, Aziz said the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir was key.

"Kashmir is a burning issue. Its solution is indispensable for durable peace a solution that is in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir," Aziz said.

Aziz, citing Pakistan's testing of its first nuclear-capable cruise missile on Thursday, also said Pakistan would maintain a balance of power in the region.