ISLAMABAD, Jan 9: A senior United States defence official here on Wednesday assured Islamabad of Washington’s continued defence assistance and cooperation, the defence ministry said.

The assurance was given by Under Secretary of Defence Dov S. Zakheim during a meeting with Defence Secretary Lt-Gen Hamid Nawaz Khan, it said.

“Zakheim praised Pakistan’s contribution to the coalition forces in their efforts against terrorism in Afghanistan, and assured assistance and cooperation to Pakistan in the field of defence,” a statement said.

Zakheim, who arrived in Islamabad early Wednesday, is leading a seven-member US delegation.

“The two sides discussed bilateral relations and defence cooperation between the two countries,” a ministry spokesperson said.—AFP