ISLAMABAD: London Mayor Sadiq Khan called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at his office, on Thursday. Khan, accompanied by a 25-member delegation including business and media persons, is on his first visit to Pakistan after assuming office.
The prime minister welcoming the mayor said that every Pakistani was proud of his election as London mayor and prayed for his success. The prime minister recalled his meeting with the British Prime Minister May in New York and said that the government of Pakistan accorded great importance to its close and cooperative relations with the United Kingdom, especially in the area of trade and investment.
He said Pakistan’s relations with the UK are unique as their close and cordial relations are strengthened by the presence of a large Pakistani community in the UK. The prime minister briefed the mayor on excellent opportunities for trade and investment in Pakistan. He informed the mayor that due to the government’s efforts, Pakistan had become surplus in energy, and in view of its successful counter-terrorism efforts, had become an opportune destination for UK businesses.
He hoped that the mayor and his delegation, including the businessmen, would take a message to London that Pakistan was open and welcoming for trade, investment and meaningful cooperation.
Mayor Sadiq Khan informed the prime minister of his meetings with officials, media and businessmen after arrival in Pakistan. He said that he was impressed with the progress achieved by the government in different areas, especially in infrastructure, technology and energy. He said his visit had served to remove popular misperceptions and that he and his team will work towards strengthening economic links with Pakistan. He also mentioned that there were 1.7 million Pakistan-origin UK citizens who were proud of their heritage and gave the Pakistan-UK relations a special closeness. He invited Pakistan to take advantage of the favourable business opportunities in the UK post-Brexit. He said that it was UK’s objective to develop closer economic partnerships with all countries especially those in the Commonwealth. He assured the prime minister that he would work towards fostering closer links between London and Pakistan.
Published in Daily Times, December 8th 2017.
