Moin-ud-Din Haider,59, Pakistan's Federal Minister for interior, handles the critical task of controlling fundamental forces in his country. In an interview to Executive Editor Raj Chengappa in Islamabad, Haider talks about the challenge of bringing about a change. Excerpts:

Q. How successful has the Pakistani Government been in controlling fundamentalists and sectarian forces in the country?

A. Since January this year, we have arrested over 2,000 people and closed 625 offices of the five fundamentalist organisations that we had earlier banned. Despite the sweeping steps, there has not been any serious upheaval. This indicates that the people are with us. But it is a difficult, uphill task. We are working hard. We still have a lot to do and we will continue to do it.

Q. The Indian Government feels that Pakistan hasn't come down hard enough especially on groups involved in Kashmir militancy. What do you have to say about this?

A. We have taken action against the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba. They had strong and large organisations. We will continue to go after them and the others and we will come down on anybody who tries to break the law. Two years ago, you would have seen these groups openly canvassing and collecting funds. Now you won't see them. But the massing of Indian troops on the border hasn't helped.

Q. Why has the troop build-up affected your drive against militants?

A. The army used to help us but with the massing of forces on the border, the pace has slackened and dampened the process. We are forced to push all our forces, including the scouts and rangers who were being used for such activity, to the borders.

Q. But India wants to see concrete action on curbing terrorism from Pakistan before pulling its troops back.

A. We are getting the impression that India doesn't want to talk. It keeps coming up with new demands and keeps moving the goalposts. Pakistan feels that we have shown enough gestures. President Pervez Musharraf has gone out of his way to offer his hand in friendship. Now it is up to India.

Q. Why can't you extradite the criminals that India wants?

A. We don't have an extradition treaty with India. And anyway it is not such a great matter that it cannot be resolved. But let us have a comprehensive dialogue first. It should start with the de-escalation of forces.

Q. Do you think a war could break out between the two countries?

A. I hope not. That would be tragic. We should instead be waging a war on poverty and illiteracy.