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London mayor Sadiq Khan will lead a trade mission to Pakistan later this year, meeting politicians, top business figures and professionals with a view to boosting economic and cultural ties with London, said an announcement on a government website.
The visit is a part of LondonIsOpen campaign — launched by Khan — to show that London is united and open for businesses, and to the world, following the EU referendum.
During the visit, Sadiq Khan will also visit India. It would be the first visit by a British politician to both countries in recent times. He will be visiting Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.
Sadiq will be accompanied by a delegation of UK business leaders and will meet with politicians, investors and entrepreneurs from the host country.
According to the announcement, the trip is aimed at strengthening trade and investment links as well as promoting cultural exchange. Bilateral trade between the UK and Pakistan is valued at £2 billion.
“As someone whose grandparents were born in India, and whose parents moved to London from Pakistan, I feel a deep affinity for the subcontinent,” the mayor was quoted as saying.
“I am passionate about showing that my city will always be open to engaging with partners from around the world,” he added.
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On DawnNews
Comments (39) Closed
Oct 10, 2017 11:05pm
How can a mayor of a city boost trade with another country? That's the job of the Finance or Commerce ministry of the country.
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Oct 10, 2017 11:07pm
Hope he visits Pakistan before India. That will be a moral boost for us.
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Oct 10, 2017 11:08pm
Brilliant. Wish him the best of luck.
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Oct 10, 2017 11:13pm
@Dr. Comedian Don't be jealous .
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Oct 10, 2017 11:17pm
@azra That is a petty mindset.
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Oct 10, 2017 11:55pm
He should visit pak after....that way we are sure he will see both places
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Oct 11, 2017 12:15am
Lovely idea, but is Pakistan's business community and the Administration ready for such a move. My doubts.
Anyway, a positive move by the London mayor for the betterment of bilateral economic relations. Hopefully, the Pakistani counterparts of this venture will be upfront and more practical than ideological about bringing in more business from England as well as other parts of Europe, especially with a more aggressive strategy from their Indian counterparts.
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Oct 11, 2017 12:31am
Welcome
BTW is this not the same commoner who us opposed by a visionary leader for an elite
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Oct 11, 2017 12:45am
@Dr. Comedian Just like finance minister of a country handles finance of a country, cities like London have their own finance department to handle finance of that town.
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Oct 11, 2017 12:54am
@azra ...Did you read the article,he is coming to Pakistan first.!!
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Oct 11, 2017 12:57am
Another politician letting the taxpayers pay for his vacation. Mayor of London has squat to do with trade between UK and Pakistan.
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Oct 11, 2017 01:08am
@Dr. Comedian Mr. Comedian why not all mega cities mayors are doing for their cities. Mayor of Toronto and Edmonton and many already did it.
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Oct 11, 2017 01:24am
@Dr. Comedian like New York governor and NYC mayor visited Cuba last year.
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Oct 11, 2017 01:25am
He is of Pakistani origin. His visit is more personal than national. After all trade relations are talked between ministers, not mayors.
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Oct 11, 2017 01:32am
@Dr. Comedian You have obviously no clue how business deals are made. He is a mayor of London not Timbuktu.
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Oct 11, 2017 01:42am
@azra : Ability to do business needs an open mindset. You win some you lose some. Petty mindedNess rarely helps you in life let alone in business.
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Oct 11, 2017 02:01am
Why is he going to india? He is a Pakistani and should allow Pakistanis to travel to London.
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Oct 11, 2017 02:21am
Welcome home! We are proud of you Sadiq :)
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Oct 11, 2017 02:32am
'“As someone whose grandparents were born in India, and whose parents moved to London from Pakistan, I feel a deep affinity for the subcontinent,” the mayor was quoted as saying.'
Your grandparents were born in British Indian empire, not India. Big difference.
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Oct 11, 2017 03:28am
Wish you all the best. The people of sub-continent have contributed to UK so it's about time that UK invests in the economies there. Thank you Mayor of London and you can be a great Ambassador of goodwill.
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Oct 11, 2017 03:33am
Welcome to Pakistan.
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Oct 11, 2017 03:36am
Soon Pakistanis will travel visa free to London!
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Oct 11, 2017 04:29am
It will be honour for us
Such a great person and example for youth
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Oct 11, 2017 04:34am
London Mayor Sadiq Khan will be greatly welcomed in Pakistan as he's an extraordinary role model of brilliant and successful young man of Pakistani origin in British politics. His trade delegation will benefit England and Pakistan. We would request him to tell us how he achieved incredible success in becoming London's Mayor?
How democracy works there and how our politicians can learn about real democracy? Our politician follow British Parliamentary system, but still have the mindset of illiterate waderas and jagidars with absolute powers but without being 'accountable' for their deeds and misdeeds.
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Oct 11, 2017 05:21am
Pakistan welcomes the most popular and the best Mayor.
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Oct 11, 2017 05:57am
@azra
He better go to Pakistan first to boost Pakistani
moral which they need.
He needs India more but it has to be on equal footing.
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Oct 11, 2017 06:25am
After so many attack and running out of stocks where else you will look for , you have to reach to reach out to largest exporter only
Good business and keep going
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Oct 11, 2017 07:23am
I am sure this is to appease pakistani Muslim vote bank, nothing more
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Oct 11, 2017 08:31am
Visiting India is his main reason.
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Oct 11, 2017 09:24am
Welcome!!!
The son of sacred land who is proud for us ruling over "OTHERS"
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Oct 11, 2017 09:37am
Good opportunity for all involved.
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Oct 11, 2017 10:01am
India is the 3rd largest investor in the UK. Indians own some of the prime real estate in UK.
Many Indian companies have a strong base in the UK. Tata Steel, Arcelor Mittal, Vedanta Sterlite, Tech Mahindra and many more.
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Oct 11, 2017 10:05am
@azra says a lot about the state of your moral!
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Oct 11, 2017 12:57pm
We (Indians) have no business with Mr Mayor.
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Oct 11, 2017 01:49pm
@faiz Kazmi: Meaning?
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Oct 11, 2017 02:13pm
@Robin - Nothing ever goes wrong in India? One can only despair at such hubris, false pride and delusions!
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Oct 11, 2017 03:13pm
@lafanga - "@Dr. Comedian You have obviously no clue how business deals are made."
Kindly explain in details how business deals are done. You seem to be an expert in this field.
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Oct 11, 2017 04:56pm
Welcome to the land of six seasons and habitat of 225 million brave, hardworking, intelligent and smart people, who are the best hosts in the whole world, known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Keep it up and hang on tough. May God Almighty bless you and your loved ones and grant you more successes in the days to follow. Aameen, Tsum Aameen.
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Oct 11, 2017 05:47pm
Great move by London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Hope, beside increasing trade, cultural & other positive links, he will try to make Islamabad and London Sister Cities, if it has already not done; Like U.S.A. and Pakistan have already few Sister Cities among them. PAK People Welcome London Mayor with Open Hearts.
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