LAHORE: Pakistan and Britain are tied together in friendly relations deeply rooted in history and last but not the least Britain is the largest investor in Pakistan, said Punjab Chief Minister (CM), Shahbaz Sharif.According to a handout issued on Wednesday, he was talking to the media representatives at the opening of British Overseas Pakistanis Office.He said that UK had always supported democracy in Pakistan. “Establishment of the office will help resolve the problems of UK-based Pakistanis,” he said.UK’s Conservative Party Chairperson and Minister, Saeeda Warsi, also accompanied him on the occasion, while British High Commissioner in Pakistan, Adam Thomson, Pakistan-UK Overseas Society Chairman, Zubair Gul, Provincial Minister for Education, Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, MNA, Muhammad Afzal Khokhar, MPAs, Shehzadi Umarzadi Tiwana, Dr Saeed Elahi, Colonel (r) Shuja Khanzada and members of British House of Commons were also present on the occasion.The chief minister termed the arrival of British delegation led by Saeeda Warsi a matter of great pleasure. “This would further strengthen the friendly ties between Britain and Pakistan,” he hoped. He said that a large number of Pakistanis residing in UK were playing a very important role in the development of various sectors there.He said that the role played by Department for International Development (DFID), UK for improvement in education, health, livestock and other sectors was commendable.He also appreciated the efforts of Saeeda for setting up the office. “Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) UK President, Zubair Gul, is also playing an important role for resolving the problems of Pakistanis residing in UK,” he said, adding that as chairman of the office he would take more steps in this regard.He said that the superior judiciary in Pakistan was highly transparent and was providing justice to people in accordance with law of the land without any discrimination. Speaking on the occasion, Saeeda said that old trade and economic relations existed between Britain and Pakistan and Britain wanted Pakistan to be more stable economically.
She said that Britain had supported Pakistan in every hour of need. “Setting up of the office was imperative for resolving the domestic, property related and other disputes of UK-based Pakistanis,” she said, adding that the efforts of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif were praiseworthy in this regard. She termed the meeting productive and hoped that relations between the two countries would strengthen further.She observed that women had more representation in the parliament of Pakistan than that in UK. “Whenever, I come across Pakistani lady parliamentarians, I am greatly impressed by them,” she added. Later, Saeeda and members of the British House of Commons met the Punjab CM and discussed with him bilateral relations and cooperation in various sectors – Dailytimes
