Islamabad - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his Pakistani counterpart on Monday put aside diplomatic tensions over the planned expulsion of 11 Pakistani students arrested in a suspected bomb plot, as they held talks on fight against terrorism. British authorities arrested 12 men, 11 of them Pakistanis, all of which were later released without charge, but the Pakistani nationals, including 10 with student visas, were now facing possible deportation.

Pakistan has strongly reacted to the decision at diplomatic level, and demanded that Britain respond affirmatively to the applications for review.

"We do not comment on individual applications. The police is still looking into the matter," Brown said during a joint press conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in Islamabad, where he had arrived from Kabul.

"The applications will be considered in a normal way," Brown said.

Gilani said thousands of Pakistani students including his own two sons and the president's daughter were also studying in Britain.

Gilani insisted study should not be disrupted for the students, who were detained this month during hasty raids after one of Britain's top anti-terror officers Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick was photographed carrying secret documents.

But Brown said his country's law-enforcement agencies would move whenever there is a threat.

"We welcome the students but when there is problem, we will take action."

Brown said the two countries face the "shared challenge" of terrorism and the two countries will work together to defeat it.

"We will stand up against terrorism together and we will take them on," the visiting prime minister said.

He lauded Pakistan's security operation against Taliban militants in north-western Lower Dir district, where the paramilitary troops have killed 46 rebels over the last two days.

Meanwhile, Brown pressed Pakistan to do more to eliminate Islamist insurgents launching cross border attacks on international forces in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has been reiterating its resolve to fight extremism and terrorism, but says its Western allies must aid its efforts.

"Pakistan will continue to make efforts to promote stability in Afghanistan," said Gilani, and "eliminate the menace of terrorism" through a comprehensive approach.(dpa)