July 4, 2002	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 22,1423

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ISLAMABAD, July 3: British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon called on President Pervez Musharraf here on Wednesday and discussed with him the current standoff with India and cooperation in war on terror.

The visiting secretary also held separate meetings with defence officials, including ISI chief Gen Ehsan, an official source said.

Sources said the two sides discussed the ongoing search operation for Al Qaeda fugitives in tribal areas and efforts to reduce tensions between Pakistan and India.

A Defence Ministry statement said the British defence secretary called on the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza, Chief of General Staff, Lt-Gen Shahid Aziz and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Inamul Haq.

A well-placed source said that Hoon was apprised of Pakistan’s concern over recent shifting of 30 detained Pakistani nationals from Afghanistan to India.

The fears that these Al Qaeda suspects may be framed in fake attacks in occupied Kashmir to substantiate propaganda of infiltration across Line of Control were also conveyed to the British defence secretary.

Later Hoon left for New Delhi. He was seen-off at the Chaklala Air Base by Defence Secretary Hamid Nawaz Khan, British High Commissioner and senior defence officials.

AGENCIES ADD: The British High Commission said Hoon’s visit was aimed at “helping to defuse tension between Pakistan and India.”

A foreign ministry official said Pakistan explained in detail the measures it has taken to ease tensions with India.

Both the sides agreed on the need for de-escalation, a ministry statement said.

“The Pakistan side stressed the imperative need for meaningful de-escalatory steps by India and the resumption of a sincere and result-oriented dialogue on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” it said.

Top military officers also briefed the British official on operations by troops to capture Al Qaeda fighters in the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan, an official said.

Hoon also discussed bilateral defence issues with senior Pakistani defence officials before leaving for New Delhi, the foreign ministry said.

During his stay in India, the British defence secretary is expected to meet Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes before talks on Thursday with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Earlier on his arrival, the British defence secretary praised Pakistan’s efforts in the war against terrorism.

“We value very much the support given by Pakistan to both the wider international community as well as to the United Kingdom,” he said on his arrival at the Chaklala air base.

“I am delighted by the strong support that Pakistan has given to the international campaign against terrorism,” he said.