UK, Pakistan share common interest in fighting extremism: May
26 September, 2013
LAHORE: British Home Secretary Theresa May on Wednesday met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and said the UK and Pakistan shared common interest in fighting extremism that threatened the people of both countries.
In her meeting with the Punjab CM, she discussed matters of mutual interest, law and order situation and promotion of bilateral relations with the CM. Britain High Commissioner to Pakistan Adam Thomson was present on the occasion.
Sharif, while welcoming the British home secretary, said friendly relations existed between Pakistan and the UK.
He said the UK cooperation with Pakistan in various sectors of life was commendable. Sharif said, "We greatly value the British cooperation in national development."
The CM said Pakistan was facing terrorism and it had rendered numerous sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He said the government had adopted a comprehensive policy for elimination of terrorism and a national policy had been evolved at the All Parties Conference in this regard.
The CM said the agreement between Pakistan and the UK regarding the security of the British home secretary was a welcoming step.
He said, "We are thankful to the British government for extending cooperation in training the Pakistani police on modern lines." Sharif said on the pattern of the security system in London, a command and control system was also being set up for improving security arrangements in Punjab. He said the government was paying attention to getting modern technology for the capacity-building of the police.
The British home secretary appreciated Pakistan for its efforts to eliminate terrorism and said the UK would continue its cooperation in this regard.
She said the UK was committed to working with Pakistan to combat the shared threat of terrorism.
She and Sharif also visited the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) in Lahore.
The CM hosted a lunch in honour of the British home secretary and her delegation that was attended by Provincial Minister Rana Sanaullah, Colonel (r) Shujja Khanzada, the chief secretary, home secretary, the IGP and other officials.
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