RAWALPINDI, Feb 19: Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar said on Thursday that the Swat agreement would promote peace in the terror-stricken areas of Malakand and provide speedy justice to local people.

The minister was talking to ambassadors of Japan, Ukraine and Bahrain who had called on him separately.

The minister discussed with the diplomats a number of issues, including anti-terror efforts made by Pakistan, Swat peace agreement and bomb blasts and suicide attacks in the country, says a press release issued by the Defence Ministry.

He told them that the drone attacks on Pakistani soil were proving counter-productive. He rejected news reports suggesting that CIA was using the Shamsi airbase in Balochistan for drone flights and said that Pakistan had not allowed the US to use its bases for Predator attacks.

He called for international efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to combat and defeat the menace of terrorism.

Ukrainian Ambassador Igor Pasco stressed the need for strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields. Both sides expressed the desire to cooperate in defence production.

They also agreed to enhance cooperation at political, technical and military levels.

The ambassador apprised the minister of the use of ultra-sound mineral technology with the capability of detecting minerals up to seven kilometres below the earth’s surface.

Bahrain’s Ambassador Mohammad Ebrahim Abdul Qadir stressed the need for enhancing cooperation between the two countries.

He said his country attached great importance to its ties with Pakistan. He said the two countries shared culture, values and religion, besides having a commonality of perception on regional and international issues.