London Mayor Sadiq Khan meets Punjab CM, tours Lahore
The Pakistan-origin London mayor entered the country from India via the Wagah Border
December 06, 2017
LAHORE: London Mayor Sadiq Khan reached Pakistan on Wednesday on a goodwill visit to promote his 'London is Open' campaign.
He entered Pakistan from India via the Wagah Border Crossing.
Khan was received on the Pakistani side of the border by Mayor Lahore Col (retd) Mubashar and senior government officials.
Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif tweeted out a welcome to the mayor as well.
"We welcome Mayor @SadiqKhan from the historic city of London to the historic city of Lahore ..," the chief minister posted.
Later, Khan called on Shehbaz at his Model Town office. Senior provincial government officials, as well as members of the business community, were present in the meeting.
British High Commissioner Thomas Drew was also present in the meeting.
According to sources, Shehbaz and Sadiq discussed bilateral ties. Welcoming the London mayor, Shehbaz reportedly said the visit will enhance business activities between the two countries.
Later, during a tea-break with the chief minister, Khan said in impeccable Urdu that the connection between Londoners and Pakistanis is strong, adding that Pakistanis play an important role in the promotion of London's economy. Shehbaz said this is the perfect moment for the promotion of bilateral ties.
Khan then proceeded to visit the famous Badshahi Mosque and paid tribute at the tomb of Allama Iqbal in the old city. A guard of honour was presented to the London mayor during his visit to Iqbal's tomb.
Speaking at an event related to his 'London is Open' campaign at Al Hamra Arts Council, Khan said Pakistan has a lot of scope to improve its economy.
He added that Pakistan has a bright future in the international market.
Responding to a question about the best thing that the visitors liked about Pakistan, Khan was quick to say ‘Pakistanis’ in response to applause by the audience.
"The warmth, the hospitality, the friendship, the love [of Pakistanis] is just phenomenal," he said. "I feel the warmth, affection, and support of some of you that I have never met before."
"Pakistanis are Pakistan’s greatest assets," Khan said.
Sadiq Khan was earlier in India for around three days where he held meetings with government officials, members of the civil society and entertainment industry.
Speaking to LBC senior reporter Vincent McAviney before the trip, Khan said, “It’s really important for me as the Mayor of a global city to be going to both countries. We’ve got huge links with India and Pakistan, trade links, big links in relation to culture, big links in education but here are also many Londoner’s whose country of origin is India, whose country of origin is Pakistan. They want to see their Mayor making good links and contacts with India and Pakistan and hopefully some good business for our city."
“I know India and Pakistan fairly well, for cultural reasons - I love Bollywood, sports, I’ve got family in both countries as well,” he added, according to the LBc report.
The mayor visited Mumbai, Delhi and Amritsar in India, before heading to Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi.
The report stated further that in Pakistan, the London mayor would meet senior politicians as well key figures from the Pakistani cultural and financial sectors.
Bilateral trade between the UK and Pakistan is valued at £2.5bn and only two cities in the world provide more investment in Pakistan than London.
The mayor was expected to be accompanied to Pakistan by senior business executives from London who are looking for trade deals or investment opportunities.
In May last year, Khan defied all odds and won the race for London mayor, beating the government-supported multi-billionaire Tory candidate Zac Goldsmith.
Khan, son of Pakistani bus driver, defeated Goldsmith by 44 to 35 per cent in the first preference votes and easily managed to win in the second preference.
