Sadiq Khan is the first London’s mayor to visit both India and Pakistan
The London Mayor and Pakistani-origin-Britisher Sadiq Khan reached Pakistan on his goodwill visit to promote his ‘London is Open’ campaign.
London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan came to Lahore through Pak-India Wagah Border where Mayor of Lahore Colonel (retd) Mubashir welcomed him.
It’s the first visit by a British politician to both the countries in recent times and will meet senior politician’s as well key figures from the Pakistan’s cultural and financial sectors.
The mayor of London and British High Commissioner Thomas Drew along with his delegation arrived at the Chief Minister House amid strict security where he was received by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Using official twitter account, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif tweeted,
We welcome Mayor @SadiqKhan from the historic city of London to the historic city of Lahore …
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) December 6, 2017
Shahbaz Sharif hosted a luncheon for the guests and discussed issues of mutual interest during a meeting and Sadiq Khan thanked the host for the warm welcome.
According to sources, Shahbaz and Sadiq discussed bilateral ties. Welcoming the London mayor, Shehbaz reportedly said the visit will enhance business activities between the two countries.
Purpose of Mayor’s visit is to forge closer ties with the Pakistani business community and focus on meeting the young, up-and-coming generation who will play a key role in the ongoing development of the country.
While talking to media earlier Sadiq Khan said that British Pakistanis made London the greatest city in the world and I want to spread the message when I go to Pakistan and India. 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.
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.
Some Bollywood biggies graced the party including Shahrukh Khan, Karan Johar, Amitabh Bachan, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt among others.
Sadiq Khan, son of Pakistani bus driver, last year, Khan defied all odds and won the race for London mayor defeating multi-billionaire Goldsmith by 44 to 35 percent in the first preference votes and easily managed to win the second preference.