ISLAMABAD, Feb 6: A high level UK delegation, led by Geoff Hoon, the British secretary of state for defence, currently on an official visit to Pakistan, called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Mohammad Aziz Khan at the Joint Staff Headquarters here on Wednesday.

The UK dignitary and members of his delegation remained with the the JCSC chairman for some time. Matters related to defence cooperation between the two countries came under discussion during the meeting.

Meanwhile, the British Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, also called on the defence secretary, Lt-Gen (Rtd) Hamid Nawaz Khan.

The British secretary expressed the hope that the United Kingdom and Pakistan would enhance cooperation in the field of defence in future.

Mr Hoon appreciated Pakis-tan’s contribution to the coalition forces in their efforts against terrorism and for peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan.

Hamid Nawaz Khan said Pakistan attached special importance to its relations with the UK which were deep rooted in history. Both the countries, he said, shared common perceptions on regional and international issues. The visit of the British secretary of state to Pakistan at this critical juncture was an expression of solidarity of the British friends with Pakistan, he added.

He expressed the hope that the visit would not only be helpful in promoting military and defence cooperation between the two countries but also provide opportunities to the two sides to exchange views on the recent critical situation in the region. — APP