Feb 02 , 2016
News
Shahbaz, Barton discuss cooperation between Punjab, UK
LAHORE: British High Commissioner Philip Barton called on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif here on Monday.
Matters of mutual interest, promotion of bilateral relations and increase in cooperation in different sectors were discussed in the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said there were best friendly and trade relations between Pakistan and Britain and Pakistan attached high importance to its ties with Britain. He said that British cooperation in education, health, skill development, law & order and other sectors was laudable. Sharif said the collaboration between Punjab and Britain in various sectors was increasing and his recent visit to the United Kingdom was the most successful tour of his political career. He said that ongoing programmes in education, health and skill development sectors were being successfully implemented in Punjab with the cooperation of Britain’s Department for International Development (DFID).
Emphasizing the need for further promotion of trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Britain, the chief minister said it was essential to take continuous steps in this regard by both the countries. He said that extremism and terrorism could be fought through education. Therefore, he said, the Punjab government was paying special attention to development of the education sector. He said the Punjab government wanted to further expand the scope of cooperation with regard to development of social sectors with Britain.
Sharif said that important matters agreed at his meetings with British officials were being followed. He said the Punjab government was spending every penny with honesty. Referring to the National Action Plan against terrorism, Sharif said that all political parties displayed exemplary unity and consensus on this plan and the measures taken under the National Action Plan were yielding positive results. He said the Pakistani nation as well as the political and military leadership was united against terrorism. The chief minister said that more than 50,000 Pakistanis had sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism.
Sharif said the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the war against terrorism were unprecedented. He said the war against terrorism would guarantee a secure Pakistan for the future generations and it had to be won at any cost. He said there was no room for extremism in Pakistan. He said that a peaceful society based on tolerance and restraint was the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the mission of the present government. He said the Transparency International had acknowledged transparency in the projects of the present government. He said the government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had made a tremendous progress in different sectors during the last two and a half years. He said that progress had been made on elimination of terrorism and extremism. He said the energy crisis was being overcome. He said that Pakistan today was safer, peaceful and developed compared to 2013.
The chief minister said that Barton played an important role to strengthen relations between Pakistan and Britain and his services were commendable. He expressed good wishes for Barton.
Speaking on the occasion, Barton said the Punjab government led by Sharif ensured proper utilization of money of British taxpayers. He said that a strong partnership existed between Punjab and Britain. He said that Sharif had taken praiseworthy public welfare steps in Punjab.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk