LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and Britain are tied in a historic and deep friendly relations and Britain is Pakistan’s largest investor. He said that UK has always supported democracy in Pakistan adding that establishment of the British Overseas Pakistanis Office will help resolve the problems of UK-based Pakistanis.
He was talking to media on the occasion of launching of British Overseas Pakistanis Office, here today. Chairperson of the Conservative Party, UK and Minister Saeeda Warsi also accompanied him. British High Commissioner Adam Thomson, Chairman Pakistan-UK Overseas Society Zubair Gull, Provincial Minister for Education Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Member National Assembly Muhammad Afzal Khokhar, Members Provincial Assembly Shehzadi Umarzadi Tiwana, Dr Saeed Elahi, Col (R) Shuja Khanzada and members of British House of Commons were also present on this occasion.
The chief minister said that the arrival of British delegation led by Saeeda Warsi is a matter of pleasure and this would further strengthen the friendly ties between Britain and Pakistan. He said that a large number of Pakistanis residing in UK were playing very important role in development of various sectors there. He said that the role of Department for International Development (DFID), UK for improvement of education, health, livestock and other sectors is commendable.
He said that the establishment of British Overseas Pakistanis Office will help UK-based Pakistanis in resolving their domestic, property related and other disputes in Pakistan and the efforts of Saeeda Warsi with regard to setting up of this office are laudable. He said that President of Pakistan Muslim League-N (UK) Zubair Gull is also playing important role in resolving the problems of Pakistanis residing in UK and as a Chairman British Overseas Pakistanis Office, he will take further effective measures in this regard. He said that the superior judicial system of Pakistan is highly transparent and is providing justice to the people in accordance with the law without any discrimination.
Talking on this occasion, UK Minister Saeeda Warsi said that old trade and economic relations exist between Britain and Pakistan. She said that Britain has always supported Pakistan in the hour of need. She said that setting up of British Overseas Pakistanis Office was imperative for resolving the problems of UK-based Pakistanis in Pakistan and the efforts of Quaid Pakistan Muslim League-N Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif are praiseworthy.
She termed the meeting productive which will further strengthen the relations between the two countries. She observed that women have more representation in the parliament of Pakistan than that of UK and whenever she happened to come across the Pakistani lady parliamentarians, she was greatly impressed by them. Later, British Minister Saeeda Warsi and members of British House of Commons met the chief minister Punjab and discussed with him bilateral relations and cooperation in various sectors.
