ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) yesterday explored ways and means to boosting and diversifying defence cooperation between the two countries.
The Defence Cooperation Forum of the United Kingdom (UK) and Pakistan which held its 15th round in London on Monday also discussed regional security.
According to spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence, Stephen Lovegrove, Permanent Under Secretary of State for Defence, led the UK side while Lt Gen (Retd) Muhammad Alam Khattak, Secretary Defence, headed the Pakistan delegation.
The Forum is one of the five strands of cooperation under the umbrella of “Enhanced Security Dialogue Forum” between the two countries.
Prior to the holding of the plenary session, Lt Gen (Retd) Alam Khattak called on Stephen Lovegrove in his office during which issues relating to bilateral security cooperation and counter terrorism were discussed.
During the talks, both sides deliberated upon various areas of mutual interest including respective regional security, counter terrorism, Afghanistan situation and carried out a review of national security priorities including extremist threats, border management and maritime security.
Both the sides discussed the successes achieved by the government of Pakistan through Operation Zarb-e-Azb and National Action Plan.
Talks of the Defence Cooperation Forum were held in a cordial atmosphere. The delegation leaders shared their resolve to work together for enhancing and diversifying co-operation in the fields of defence and security.
They also agreed that the 16th round of Pak-UK Defence Cooperation Forum will take place in Pakistan in 2017.
