London Mayor Sadiq Khan calls on Punjab CM in Lahore

LAHORE: London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Wednesday called on Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif after reaching Lahore via Wagah Border crossing on a goodwill tour.

The visiting mayor held a meeting with the Punjab CM at his Model Town office here. The dignitaries discussed matters of mutual interest.

British High Commissioner Thomas Drew was also present in the meeting.  

Earlier today, senior government officials received Khan on the Pakistani side of the border after he stayed three days in India.

The London mayor has been on tour of South Asia to promote his ‘London is Open’ campaign.

In a tweet, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Khan to Lahore. “We welcome Mayor Sadiq Khan from the historic city of London to the historic city of Lahore,” Shehbaz tweeted.

Shehbaz reportedly said the visit would enhance business activities between the two countries.

Speaking to UK-based 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 said to the foreign reporter.

The London mayor is expected to meet senior politicians, besides key figures from Pakistani cultural and financial sectors.

‘London is Open’

London is Open is a major campaign – launched by the Mayor, Sadiq Khan – to show that London is united and open for business, and to the world, following the EU referendum.

Sadiq is urging all Londoners, organisations and businesses to show their support for his campaign via social media and other creative ways.

In a message, Khan said: We don’t simply tolerate each other’s differences, we celebrate them. Many people from all over the globe live and work here, contributing to every aspect of life in our city.

“We now need to make sure that people across London, and the globe, hear that #LondonIsOpen. I urge everyone to get involved with this simple but powerful campaign to send a positive message to the world.”