UK is standing with Pakistan for development and progress : Amber Rudd

Lahore : Secretary of State for Home Department, UK, Ms Amber Rudd called on Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and discussed matters of mutual interest, promotion of bilateral ties and enhancement of cooperation in various fields. They also decided to take further speedy steps to promote bilateral cooperation in the future.

The Secretary of State for Home Department, UK said the UK and Pakistan are making best cooperation and we are moving ahead jointly in the fields of development and progress. She said certainly the Punjab government has achieved various important targets and we have learned from you.  She said the UK is standing with Pakistan for development and progress and we are also with Pakistan in the journey of democracy and the UK will continue cooperation in the fields of anti-terrorism, development and progress.

CM Shahbaz Sharif and the UK secretary also held talks at the delegation level. Speaking on the occasion, CM Shahbaz Sharif said we respect and highly regard the cooperation by the UK in the fields of education, health, skill development and other fields. He said the UK and Pakistan are important partners in the journey of development and progress, and both countries have strong economic links.

He said Pakistan gives special importance to the ties with the UK and partnership between the UK and Pakistan will further strengthen in the future. He said Punjab has taken exemplary steps for the empowerment of the women.

He said political and civilian leadership has taken coordinated measures for the elimination of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism. He said the unprecedented sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the war against terrorism are matchless in the world history. He said we will also defeat terrorist mind-set along with terrorists and their facilitators. He said the UK can provide help to the Punjab government in the safe city project.

The chief minister congratulated Ms Amber Rudd for assuming the charge as the Secretary of State for Home Department, UK .