LAHORE: British High Commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here on Saturday.
Matters of mutual interest, promotion of bilateral relations and situation in Occupied Kashmir was discussed in the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, British High Commissioner said that Punjab was making rapid progress under the leadership of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif who had taken effective measures for public welfare and uplift of social sectors.
He said that education, health and other sectors were improving under the leadership of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The British High Commissioner said that Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif was the first foreign leader who telephoned Theresa May on her nomination as prime minister and expressed good wishes for her.
He said that British Prime Minister Theresa May was expected to visit Pakistan next year.
He said that like other countries, Britain also wanted to easing tension between Pakistan and India and Britain was concerned over the present situation.
He said that Britain was against violation of human rights anywhere in the world and Pakistan’s political leadership was showing a responsible attitude in the current situation.
Talking to British High Commissioner, Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan and Britain were partners in progress and development.
He said that cooperation of Britain in development of education, health and other sectors in Punjab was commendable and the relations between the two countries were strengthening with the passage of time. He said that Skills Development Programme was successfully running in Punjab with the cooperation of British Department for International Development (DFID).
He said that schools reforms roadmap being implemented with the cooperation of DFID was also yielding encouraging results while a big programme of provision of quality public health facilities was also being implemented.
The Chief Minister said that Pakistan government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was introducing far-reaching reforms in economic sector. Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need for promotion of trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Britain.
He said that Britain should play its role in the solution of Kashmir issue in the light of UN resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people.
“Pakistan is a peaceful country and wants durable peace in the region”, he added.
Provincial representative of DFID Ben French and new representative of DFID Ms. Ruth Graham were also present on the occasion. —APP
