Lahore, Jan 28 : Former President Pervez Musharraf has branded South Asia as "one of the most volatile regions in the world," and called on US President Barack Obama to address the root causes of problems in the region and force Pakistan and India to resolve their political differences.

A report by the Philadelphia Inquirer quoted Musharraf as saying at Philadelphia's Franklin Institute that Afghanistan, Pakistan and India are "the focal point in the world today."

He said the region faced three major challenges: Terrorism and extremism, the acrimonious relationship between India and Pakistan, and poverty and underdevelopment.

"Pakistan faces all facets of extremism, including al Qaeda and the Taliban," he said.

"And such groups must be stopped from spreading in the society . this is a battle for hearts and minds," the Daily Times quoted Musharraf, as saying.

Musharraf noted that India and Pakistan had fought three wars since 1947, and said, "We have so much to lose if there is a confrontation, so much to gain if there is peace."

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that as Musharraf addressed a crowd inside the Franklin Institute, protesters against his regime gathered outside to make their views known.

Musharraf dodged a question on why he suspended his country's constitution, saying he would "rather skip this" but said what he did was "with all legal governance." (ANI)