LAHORE: Newly-posted British High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr Christian Turner says he desires that England cricket team should tour Pakistan soon.

Dr Turner was speaking to Usman Buzdar as he called on the chief minister at his office on Monday.

Stating that this is his first visit to the wonderful city [Lahore], he acknowledged that Pakistan had a wonderful historical heritage and assistance would be provided to the Punjab government in the tourism sector.

He said assistance to the Punjab government would continue for the betterment of the social sector.

The chief minister said Pakistan and Britain had agreed to enhance cooperation in health, education, skills development, tourism and industries sectors.

Mr Buzdar said Pakistan and England were partners in the journey of development and added that the provincial government appreciated England’s cooperation for improving health, education and other sectors in Punjab.

The chief minister said 10 special economic zones (SEZs) were being established in Punjab and the foundation stone of an economic zone in Lahore would be laid soon.

He said the SEZs would have tremendous investment opportunities and British investors would be welcomed in SEZs.

He said investors would be provided with different facilities and a lot of work had also been done for the promotion of tourism. “Punjab has a lot of potential for religious tourism,” he said. Dr Turner said best relations existed between Pakistan and the UK and there was a lot of potential to enhance the bilateral cooperation. “We want to further promote economic ties with Pakistan.”

He said establishment of SEZs was a wonderful project and the option of extending cooperation in this regard would be examined.

The British high commissioner invited the chief minister to attend birthday ceremony of the Queen of England.

Head of DFID Lahore Jinal Shah, CM’s adviser Dr Salman Shah, Chairman P&D and others were present on the occasion. Meanwhile, HC Dr. Christian Turner and Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Monday discussed measures for ending smog in the province and evolving strategy for making environment clean.

Mr Turner and DFID Lahore Chief Jinal Shah, who called on Mr Elahi and MNA Moonis Elahi at their residence here, also exchanged views about prevailing political situation in the country.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2020