Rawalpindi: The United States said that it was ready to consider providing more hardware for Pakistan's military as a reward for its help in the fight against terrorism.

It also promised assistance to enhance the capabilities of Pakistani troops and police in fighting terrorism, including the infiltration of al-Qaida fugitives from neighbouring Afghanistan.

Pakistan sought spare parts for existing weapons as well as major weapons systems during a two-day meeting of the Pakistan-US Defence consultative group, which ended on September 27.

It was the forum's first meeting since the US cut economic and military ties in 1998 over Pakistan's nuclear tests.

Defence ties have improved dramatically since Pakistan last year threw its support between the US-led campaign to oust the al-Qaida terror group and their Taleban protectors from Afghanistan.

A joint statement said working groups had discussed "issues relating to the procurement of US equipment under the Foreign Military Sales programme, including major weapons systems and related support for those systems, repair/upgrade of existing systems, the issue of licences for the import of spares and the resolution of other outstanding issues".

"Acquisition of US Defence stores for improving conventional weapons capabilities were mentioned as a key Pakistani priority."

"The US agreed to expedite the resolutions on pending issues and to provide information to Pakistan on the availability of new weapons and systems as soon as possible."