LAHORE, July 18: British Foreign Secretary William Hague called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at the latter’s office here on Thursday.

The chief minister apprised the visitor of the steps the PML-N government was taking to tackle the menace of terrorism and energy crisis.

He said the counter terrorism policy would be announced with the consultation of all stakeholders. He said the government was making efforts for elimination of terrorism as well as resolving energy crisis.

The chief minister lauded Britain’s Department for International Development (DFID) for its services in the education sector for improving literacy rate in Punjab.

Mr Hague assured all-out cooperation in overcoming the energy problem.

He said time had come for Pakistan and Britain to move forward in economic and trade sectors and increase the volume of trade to three billion pounds by 2015. He stressed that special policies should be formulated for the promotion of business and introduce reforms in the system as it was time to do something and Britain was ready to help Pakistan.

Mr Hague along with a five-member entourage also visited the Punjab Assembly chambers and held a meeting with assembly members.

He also went to the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal and laid a wreath there. He also visited Badshahi Mosque and met a representative delegation of different religions, including Christian, Sikh and Hindu leaders.

At a ceremony at the British Council, Mr Hague announced revival of council’s public library from July 2014.