Speaking at the prestigious Oxford Union Debating Society of the Oxford University, he said Mujahideen, who were brought, trained and financed by the West to fight Soviet troops, coalesced into al Qaeda after the withdrawal of the invading troops.
The Taliban from religious seminaries were also recruited, financed and armed by the United States and the West and supported by Pakistan against the Soviet forces. However, he added, after the Soviet defeat Pakistan was left high and dry by the world to fend off 30,000 Mujahideen and to deal with over four million Afghan refugees and, therefore, he added, terrorism was not a Pakistani phenomenon but an import to the country.
"The whole world is to be blamed, it (terrorism) is an import to the country," he told the elite students community from 39 colleges in the fields of arts, sciences and medicines affiliated to the Oxford University.
President Musharraf said Pakistan was doing its best to combat extremism and terrorism but needs the world assistance to eradicate the twin menaces. "The West or anyone else, who are criticising us, needs to understand that we need assistance and understanding to address the issue," he added.
Pakistan was doing its best to improve the situation to take back the country to previous level of tolerance, progress and prosperity. Responding to a question, the President said the people of Pakistan, who were vastly moderate, were fully supportive of the government efforts to fight terrorism and extremism.
"We are fighting terrorism in our own national interest." It also happens to be in the interest of the global community and so, therefore, we are collaborating with the United States and the West," he added.
Pakistan, he added, was perhaps the only country which had fully understood the environment that had undergone a change with focus shifting from al Qaeda to Taliban and introduction of new phenomenon of Talibanisation which, he described as a state of mind with obscurantist approach.
The government was pursuing a holistic strategy to fight terrorism and extremism, he said, adding without addressing extremism the fight against terrorism would never succeed.
On democracy, the President said the government has introduced sustainable democracy in the country and for the first time in its history, assemblies would complete their mandated five-year tenure. He also dilated on steps to empower the most neglected segments of the society--women, common man and the minorities.
The President expressed firm resolve of the government to make Pakistan a progressive, dynamic and modern Islamic state. British opposition leader David Cameron called on President Pervez Musharraf here on Friday and their meeting focussed on matters of mutual interest. The Conservative Party leader met the president in his hotel suite.
The President felicitated Cameron on his election as the Conservative Party leader had appreciated efforts of the party to engage British Muslims and bring them into the mainstream of British politics. The president invited Cameron to visit Pakistan at a mutually agreed date.