UK minister begins Pakistan visit

Mr Hoon said the UK was working hard to eradicate Afghan drugs

British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has arrived in Pakistan from India for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening defence ties.

Mr Hoon is expected to meet Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and other senior government officials.

A spokesman for the UK Ministry of Defence said the visit was in part an expression of gratitude to Pakistan for its support in the war on terrorism.

Mr Hoon is also expected to help boost ties between India and Pakistan.

Mr Hoon said he welcomed the current thaw in relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

"We as friends, both of Pakistan and India, are delighted that our friends are engaging in this process and we will do whatever we can in whatever small way we can to support it," he said.

Afghan drugs

The defence secretary also attended the burning of a $75m stash of heroin, hashish and opium in Rawalpindi.

The head of Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force, Naveed Ahmed, said more must be done to combat the flow of drugs from neighbouring Afghanistan.

Mr Hoon said Britain recognised the problem.

"We know that many parts of Afghanistan are subject to control by those who engage in the drugs trade," he said.

"It is a difficult challenge in Afghanistan. I am not in any way suggesting we have succeeded, but we are working hard to eradicate the problem of drugs in Afghanistan."