Chairperson of the Conservative Party, UK, and Cabinet Minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi has said that old trade and economic relations existed between Britain and Pakistan, and Britain wanted Pakistan more stable economically. She was talking to media on the occasion of launching of British Overseas Pakistanis Office here on Wednesday, who was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
British High Commissioner Adam Thomson, Chairman Pakistan-UK Overseas Society Zubair Gull, Punjab Education Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Member National Assembly Muhammad Afzal Khokhar, Members Provincial Assembly Shehzadi Umarzadi Tiwana, Dr Saeed Elahi, Colonel Shuja Khanzada (Retd) and members of British House of Commons were also present on this occasion.
Sayeeda Warsi said Britain has always supported Pakistan in the hour of need. "Setting up of British Overseas Pakistanis Office was imperative for resolving the problems of UK-based Pakistanis in Pakistan and the efforts of Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif are praiseworthy," she added.
She termed the meeting with them were productive, which will help 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. On the occasion, the Chief Minister said Pakistan and Britain are tied in historic and deep friendly relations, and Britain is the largest investor country in Pakistan. He also said UK has always supported democracy in Pakistan; establishment of the British Overseas Pakistanis Office would help resolve the problems of UK-based Pakistanis.
"The arrival of British delegation led by Sayeeda Warsi is a matter of pleasure and this would further strengthen the friendly ties between Britain and Pakistan. A large number of Pakistanis residing in UK were playing very important role in development of various sectors there. The role of Department for International Development (DFID), UK, for improvement of education, health, livestock and other sectors is commendable. 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 Sayeeda Warsi with regard to setting up of this office are laudable.
Zubair Gull, PML-N President UK, is also playing important role for 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.
According to him, the superior judicial system of Pakistan is highly transparent and is providing justice to the people in accordance with law without any discrimination. Later, British Minister Sayeeda Warsi and members of British House of Commons met the Punjab Chief Minister and discussed with him bilateral relations and co-operation in various sectors.