ISLAMABAD, June 15: The US Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Boucher, met Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Friday and discussed matters of common concern.

Two issues dominated the agenda — the Pakistan-Afghanistan jirga commission process and biometric system installed on the border — an interior ministry spokesman said.

He said the two leaders also exchanged views on other measures taken to check illegal crossing at the Pakistan-Afghan border.

The spokesman said Mr Boucher lauded Pakistan’s role in the ‘war on terror’ and expressed hope that bilateral relations would go from strength to strength.

Interior Secretary Kamal Shah, National Crisis Management Cell chief Javed Iqbal Cheema and US embassy officials were present at the meeting.

The interior minister, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to the ‘war on terror’, said: “Pakistan and the United States are close allies in the war on terror’.

The minister said Pakistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestation, and that it would continue to play an important role in fighting the menace.