ISLAMABAD, Jan 29: Pakistan and the United Kingdom agreed to forge closer cooperation in the war on terror at the ninth meeting of the Pak-UK Defence Cooperation Forum held here on Tuesday.

The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Kamran Rasool and the British Under-secretary of Defence Bill Jaffrey.

Mr Jaffrey stressed the need for developing a wide-ranging strategic relationship and said Pakistan and UK had shared interest of security and stability in the region and cooperation between the two sides needed to be increased.

He appreciated the role played by the security forces of Pakistan in the war on terror. The Pakistan side dwelt on the steps taken for the socio-economic uplift of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

Mr Kamran Rasool said that Pakistan was committed to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

He said that Pakistan was also making sincere efforts to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan because a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was in the interest of not only Pakistan but of the whole region.

The British delegation also met caretaker Federal Minister for Defence & Defence Production Syed Salim Abbas Jilani and discussed with him matters of mutual interest.

The minister said it was in the interest of both countries to develop cooperation on a sustainable basis.