LAHORE: British High Commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday. Matters of mutual interest, promotion of bilateral relations and situation in Occupied Kashmir was discussed in the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, the British high commissioner said that Punjab is making rapid progress under the leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz who has taken effective measures for public welfare and uplift of social sectors. He said that education, health and other sectors are improving under the leadership of Shahbaz Sharif, adding that British Prime Minister Theresa May has also lauded speedy progress made by Punjab. The high commissioner said that the Punjab chief minister was the first foreign leader who telephoned Teresa May on her nomination as prime minister and expressed good wishes for her. He said that the British prime minister is expected to visit Pakistan next year, adding that like other countries, Britain also wants easing of tension between Pakistan and India. He said that Britain is against violation of human rights anywhere in the world and Pakistan’s political leadership is showing a responsible attitude in the current situation. Talking to the British high commissioner, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan and Britain are partners in progress and development. He said that cooperation of Britain in development of education, health and other sectors in Punjab is commendable and the relations between the two countries are strengthening with the passage of time. He said that Skills Development Programme is running successfully in Punjab with the cooperation of British Department for International Development (DFID). Shahbaz said that schools reforms roadmap, being implemented with the cooperation of DFID, is also yielding encouraging results while a big programme of provision of quality public health facilities is also being implemented. The chief minister said that Pakistan government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is introducing far-reaching reforms in economic sector, adding that the confidence of foreign investors has restored due to solid measures taken by the government. Shahbaz stressed the need for promotion of trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Britain and said that exchange of trade delegations is of vital importance for this purpose. He said that Britain should play its role in the solution of Kashmir issue in the light of UN resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people. He said that Pakistan is a peaceful country and wants durable peace in the region.