UK envoy discusses bilateral ties with Shahbaz

Expresses concern over Kashmir situation

LAHORE: British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew on Saturday met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and discussed with him matters of mutual interest, promotion of bilateral relations and the situation in Indian-held Kashmir.

According to a handout, speaking on the occasion, the British high commissioner (HC) said that Punjab was making rapid progress under the leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who had taken effective measures for public welfare and development of social sectors. He said that education, health and other sectors were improving. He said that British Prime Minister Theresa May had also lauded the speedy progress made by the Punjab province.

The British high commissioner said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was the first foreign leader who had 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 ease 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.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the 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). Shahbaz Sharif stressed the need for promotion of economic relations between Pakistan and Britain and said that exchange of trade delegations was of vital importance for this purpose. He said that Britain should play its role in solution to Kashmir issue in the light of UN resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people. He said that Pakistan was a peaceful country and wanted durable peace in the region.