United States defence officials are in Pakistan for talks on arms sales and joint efforts to counter terrorism.

The four-day meeting is the joint Defence Consultative Group's first since Washington imposed sanctions on Islamabad for conducting nuclear tests in 1998.

The revival of the Defence Consultative Group is a very significant development

Rashid Qureshi, Pakistan spokesman

The talks come a day after US Secretary of State Colin Powell met his Pakistani counterpart, Inamul Haq, in Washington.

Pakistan has been a prominent backer of the US-led war on terror over the last year, and hopes to be allowed to purchase modern US weapons and equipment for its military in return.

Pakistani presidential spokesman Rashid Quereshi said the resumption of defence discussions was a very significant development.

"Such meetings will definitely help enhance defence co-operation between Pakistan and the United States," he told The Associated Press news agency.

Sales 'on hold'

Pentagon officials say Pakistan wants to beef up its border defences with India and Afghanistan.

Both Pakistan and India have had tests

Islamabad hopes the US will release weapons already earmarked for Pakistan but the sale of which was put on hold after the 1998 tests.

Restarting joint military exercises is also on the agenda, officials say.

Formal talks are not due to start until Thursday, when US Under-Secretary of Defence Douglas J Feith arrives in the Pakistani capital.

He will meet President Musharraf and senior military officials during his stay.

Sanctions

The US cut military aid to Pakistan in 1990 to punish it for its growing nuclear programme.

Further sanctions were imposed after the 1998 tests.

But since the 11 September attacks last year, Islamabad has become one of Washington's most important allies in the hunt for members of Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.

The US military is giving Pakistan logistical help in hunting down suspects in the border region with Afghanistan. Hundreds of suspects have been arrested.

And FBI officials are believed to have provided crucial intelligence which has led to a number of significant arrests in Pakistan.