UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth and UK Home Secretary Alan Johnson have made a visit to Afghanistan and Pakistan to see the work of British forces operating in Afghanistan first hand.

With over three-quarters of terror plots in the UK having links to Afghanistan and Pakistan, central to the mission there is the training and development of the Afghan National Security Forces so that they can take responsibility for the country's security and prevent it once again from becoming a haven for terrorists.

In turn, it is hoped this will assist in the wider regional security, including Pakistan.

To learn more about how British forces, assisted by police mentoring teams, are working alongside the Afghan National Army and Police to build their skills, the party visited both Camp Shorabak - the main base for the Afghan National Army in Helmand - and the central command centre for the Afghan National Police and security forces in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital.

They also met British troops at Camp Bastion, meeting Brigadier Tim Radford, Commander of Task Force Helmand, and Provincial Governor Gulab Mangal.

It was also in Camp Bastion that they met with a team of British bomb disposal experts who are leading the battle against improvised explosive devices and got a hands-on lesson in minefield clearance themselves.

The visit has now moved on to Pakistan and the Home Secretary and Defence Secretary have arrived in Islamabad for a two-day visit.

UK Home Secretary Alan Johnson said:

"I am delighted to be here in Pakistan for my first visit as Home Secretary. Pakistan is a friend to the UK and a valued partner on the international stage, integral to regional and global security.

"I want to build on this deep partnership of friendship, co-operation and support. I am here this week to ensure that we continue to build on the strong co-operation between our governments; whether it is countering extremism or the trade in drugs that funds it.

"We have achieved much together; and I welcome the Pakistan Government's continued commitment to working with the UK to make our communities safer."

The British Home Secretary will also reinforce the UK's commitment to providing an efficient visa operation for Pakistani citizens and will be visiting the visa operation in Pakistan to see the action being taken to achieve this.

UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said:

"A stable and secure Pakistan is a vital goal not just for Pakistan but also for security in Afghanistan and for the security of the UK. The UK recognises the efforts and sacrifices that Pakistan is making to bring peace and stability in its north-western border regions.

"Pakistan has a vital interest in rooting out the militant insurgency which threatens and undermines its state and the security of its people.

"We are working together to counter this threat, and I am pleased to be here for my first visit to Pakistan to take this forward."

Both Ministers will meet with the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani, and General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and their respective counterparts.

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