ISLAMABAD, May 18: Pakistan and the United Kingdom on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase defence collaboration between the two countries. A press release issued by the defence ministry said the MoU was signed by Secretary of Defence Production Lt-Gen (retd) Ali Mohammad Jan Orakzai and UK’s permanent Under-Secretary of State for Defence Sir Kevin R Tebbitt.

According to the press release, the MoU will help open up new avenues in the area of defence cooperation between Pakistan and the UK and facilitate procurement of defence equipment and transfer of technology. Besides the MoU, Defence Secretary Lt-Gen (retd) Tariq Waseem Ghazi and Sir Kevin signed the minutes of the seventh meeting of Pakistan-UK Defence Cooperation Forum.

Pakistan and the UK agreed to hold joint exercises, exchange observers, jointly fight the war on terror and hold counter-terrorism workshops and seminars to benefit from each other’s experience. Sir Kevin said it was essential to evolve close association between the two countries to meet challenges of the 21st century.

He emphasized the need for greater partnership and cooperation in the areas of training, peace-keeping operations around the world and joint efforts against the war on terror. The meeting was also attended by senior officials of the ministry of defence and members of the visiting UK delegation.