*RAWALPINDI: United Kingdom Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of DefenceStephen Lovegrove called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar JavedBajwa at General Headquarters (GHQ).*

During the meeting, the UK official appreciated Pakistan’s positive rolefor regional peace and stability.

Matters of mutual interest, including bilateral cooperation and overallregional security situation were discussed between the two dignitaries.

In a meeting of Lovegrove with Defence Minister Pervez Khattak andSecretary Defence Lt Gen (Retd) Ikram Ul Haq yesterday, Pakistan and theUnited Kingdom agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence relationships.

Both sides exchanged views on matters related to international and regionalsecurity, while ways and means to further strengthen bilateral defencerelationships were also discussed.

The two sides took stock of the progress made since holding the last roundof Pakistan-UK Defence Cooperation Forum in the UK and explored new avenuesof collaboration.