Pakistan, UK to cement defence ties
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan and United Kingdom have expressed the desire to further deepen and expand bilateral ties in divergent fields especially in the area of defence. This was discussed at meeting between Minister for Defence Rao Sikandar Iqbal and the visiting First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff of Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, who called on the Minister, here Tuesday.
The meeting discussed matters of mutual interests and stressed the need for closer cooperation between the Navies of the two countries.
The Minister informed the Naval Chief of Staff of Royal navy about the measures taken by Pakistan against the war on terror.
He told the visiting dignitary that Pakistan had deployed about 100,000 troops on its border with Afghanistan to combat and eliminate terrorist and extremist elements.
Admiral Sir Jonathon Band appreciated the key role played by Pakistan against the war on terror.
He also thanked the government of Pakistan for providing logistic support to ISAF/NATO Forces currently engaged in anti-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan.
The meeting was also attended by the British High Commissioner to Pakistan and other senior defence officials of Pakistan.