Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that all Madrassas in the country would be taken over by the government to separate the students from extremism and impart modern as well as religious education to them.

Speaking at a community dinner in Washington, Zardari said his government has resolved to bring reforms in the Madrassas system and bring it under the government system.

Commenting on the ongoing military operation in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province (NWFP) against the Taliban and other terrorist groups Zardari said the government would initiate every necessary step to pull the country out of the crisis and hand over a better Pakistan to the next generation.

“We are striving for reconciliation with all forces in Pakistan, rejuvenation of national institutions, reorganisation of Pakistan’s strength. We have a lot of strength but we have never allowed our full potential to be utilised for the good of the country,” The News quoted Zardari, as saying.

Zardari also claimed that Islamabad has shifted an ‘unspecified number’ of troops from its eastern border with India to fight against the Taliban.