LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif called on British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs William Hague in London on Tuesday.
A Letter of Intent between the Government of Punjab and the government of UK was signed during the meeting. The Letter of Intent focuses on imparting know-how on strengthening capacity of investigation and prosecution in Punjab to ensure that terrorists could not escape justice, said a handout issued here.
UK will provide training and necessary expertise to prosecutors who will be recruited on merit, it stated.  “The Counter Terrorism Department of Punjab Police, state-of-the-art Forensic Science Agency already working in Lahore will be further strengthened and their capacity enhanced to deal effectively with anti-terrorism matters. The government of UK will provide necessary expertise and support in these areas.”
Talking to Shahbaz Sharif, Hague outlined the UK government’s longstanding support for Pakistan’s development and its democratic future. He appreciated the CM’s focus on strengthening trade and business links between the UK and Punjab. He told the CM that the UK understands the terrible losses terrorism has inflicted upon Pakistan.
Meanwhile, UK Senior Minister of State Baroness Saeeda Warsi also called on the Chief Minister. Talking to the CM, she recognised this was a crucial time for Pakistan and looked forward to witnessing elections that are credible and acceptable to the Pakistani people.
Shahbaz Sharif said overseas Pakistanis are rendering invaluable services for the solution of problems being faced by people of Pakistan in education, health and other sectors.
Meanwhile, Shahbaz Sharif has felicitated Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his re-election as the head of Justice and Development Party.
In his message, the Chief Minister said that re-election of Recep Tayyip Erdogan as head of his party speaks volumes of his selfless service to the people and a recognition of his leadership qualities.  He said, as result of insightful leadership of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has become the 16th biggest economic power of the world and the credit for establishing a trillion dollar economy also goes to Erdogan and other leaders of his party.