General Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan’s military ruler, on Friday night appeared to have overcome the immediate threat of large public protests by Islamists.

Only a few protesters turned up for a demonstration over the arrest of up to 300 militant suspects in a crackdown following the London bombings. But suspicions remain among the diplomatic community that for all his promises, the general has yet to demonstrate a firm resolve in tackling the domestic sources of militancy, which has thrust Pakistan under the spotlight.