UK envoy, governor discuss bilateral ties

LAHORE: British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott called on Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan at Governor House and discussed issues of mutual interest, bilateral relations, climate change and wheat crisis on Friday.

Head of Lahore Office Clara Strandhoj also attended the meeting. On the occasion, the governor said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Britain. He said that Britain has supported Pakistan in every difficult time. He said Pakistan has suffered a colossal loss in the form of flash floods due to climate change. He said climate change was also having adverse effect on the agricultural sector of Pakistan. The governor expressed hope that Britain would highlight the issue of Pakistan being affected by climate change in international forums.

He said Pakistan is an agricultural country and it is very important to support farmers for the development of the agriculture sector. He said Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has always worked for the welfare of farmers and labour class. He said the government was striving to resolve wheat crisis issue as priority and the situation had already improved.

He said as a representative of the federation in Punjab, he would play a positive role in the improvement of the province. He said the strengthening of the coalition government is very important for the stability of the country. The governor said political stability is vital to boost the economy of the country. He reiterated that all parties should forget their petty differences and should be on same page for the development of the country. Jane Marriott said Pakistan and UK enjoy good relations and UK was encouraging that the government was addressing the climate change issue on priority basis. She said Britain would extend all-out support to Pakistan to tackle climate change issues. Meanwhile, the governor administered oath of office to new Chairman Punjab Public Service Commission to Lt-Gen (retd) Muhammad Abdul Aziz and congratulated him on assuming the office of the PPSC.