This was conveyed to Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin, who visited Islamabad on August 19-20 to attend the annual foreign office consultations.

The source said President Pervez Musharraf himself asked the Bangladesh foreign secretary no to send any students for higher study in Pakistani madrasas.

According to officials, Pakistan provides some 75 scholarships each year for Bangladeshi students for higher studies in different subjects, but a good number of students also go there for madrasa study.

They said Pakistan has already started sending back foreign students studying in madrasas following the explosions in London last month.

Pakistani leaders have agreed to increase the number of scholarships for Bangladeshi students, but not for madrasa study.

During the foreign office consultation, Hemayetuddin also called on the prime minister, foreign minister and other high officials of Pakistan.