Pakistans’ delegation was led by Secretary Defence Lt Gen (Retd) Asif Yasin Malik. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and England have agreed that defence cooperation was necessary for security in the region as withdrawal of Nato forces from Afghanistan begins later this year.
During the 14th round of Pakistan – UK Defence Cooperation Forum (DCF) that concluded at the Ministry of Defence in London on Tuesday, the post-Nato withdrawal scenario in Afghanistan and its implications for the region were discussed in detail.
Pakistans’ delegation, led by Secretary Defence Lt Gen (Retd) Asif Yasin Malik, stressed that Pakistan believes in a peace process that was Afghan-led and owned which would lead to a peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan.
The UK side was headed by Permanent Under Secretary for Defence Jon Thompson.
Lt Gen (Retd) Malik emphasised the need for the international community, including the UK, to remain engaged with Afghanistan for the long term. It was further agreed that a regional non-interference policy should be pursued in Afghanistan.
The two sides reviewed the progress made since the last DCF and discussed at length the areas where bilateral defence cooperation could be further enhanced.
The delegation comprised members from the tri-services in addition to representatives from the Ministry of Defence Production.
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It was further agreed that a regional non-interference policy should be pursued in Afghanistan. . How do you reconcile providing sanctuary to the Haqqani with "non-interference"? This is a classic example of Pakistan saying the publicly correct thing while implementing something entirely different.