Pak PM calls on UK to 'look within' for Islamic extremism

Visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz (L) chats with his Japanese counterpart Junichiro Koizumi (R) prior to their talks at Koizumi's official residence in Tokyo yesterday. Aziz is here on a four-day official visit to talk with Japanese political and business leaders. At the centre is an unidentified interpreter. PHOTO: AFP

"We have found no evidence whatsoever of any of the incidents which happened in the UK linked to anybody in Pakistan, absolutely none," Aziz told reporters on a visit to Tokyo.

"The truth is that we publicly said the British authorities ought to look within Britain to see what caused this, and we have cooperation with them," he said.

Three of the four suspected suicide bombers in the July 7 attacks in London were British Muslims of Pakistani origin and at least two visited Pakistan prior to the attacks.

After the attacks, which left 56 people dead, Britain has pressed Pakistan to move against radical madrasas, or Islamic schools.

Aziz said Pakistanis living in the former colonial ruler tended to be "economic migrants."

"Every country has people living overseas," Aziz said.

"Pakistanis living around the world are peaceful, they are hard workers, they would never be involved in any such activities," he said.

Aziz is on a four-day visit to Japan to meet business and political leaders, including a meeting Wednesday with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

During the visit, Japan formally resumed low-interest loans to Pakistan which were suspended after the country and its rival India carried out nuclear tests in 1998.