British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw arrives in Pakistan on Wednesday on a three day official visit during which he is expected to meet various senior ministers as well as President General Pervez Musharraf.
While the Foreign Office declined to give specific details about his agenda, insiders say among other things, Straw will want to discuss nuclear security issues following the disclosure of proliferation by the country's top scientist, Dr A Q Khan. He is also likely to seek an update on the efforts to forge peace with India.
Speaking to journalists just before leaving England, Straw said: "Pakistan is a key ally in the war against terrorism and plays an important role in the international community more widely. Our two countries work closely together across a raft of issues, and British and Pakistani Ministers are frequent visitors to each others' countries. We already enjoy a comprehensive and valuable dialogue, and I look forward to seeing it developed and intensified in the year ahead."