London Mayor Sadiq Khan visits Pakistan Focus remains on building bilateral business and trade ties Mayor of London Sadiq Khan makes historic border crossing from India to Pakistan Mayor of London with Chief Minister of Punjab Mayor of London with Prime Minister of Pakistan Mayor of London with Chief Minister of Sindh Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan visited ‘London Is Open’ campaign, the Mayor visited mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam trade links with an emerging economy. Pakistan in early December 2017. The of London met senior politicians as well Muhammad Ali Jinnah to pay tributes Speaking to media, the Mayor said he purpose of the visit was to promote clos- as key figures from the Pakistani cultural to the founder of Pakistan. was proud of good relations that London er ties between the two countries and and financial sectors. He also paid a visit Mayor Sadiq Khan also met with and Pakistan enjoy. the capitals. For this purpose, the Mayor to the historical Badshahi Mosque and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Ab- A series of high profile visits from was accompanied by senior business Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum in Lahore. basi at the Prime Minister’s House in UK to Pakistan and vice versa reflects executives from the capital who were Besides, he met Chief Minister of Pun- Islamabad. During the meeting, both the strengthening of bilateral trade and looking for trade deals and investment jab, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. the leaders held discussion on making economic relations between the two opportunities. The three-day visit of the In Karachi, the Mayor met Chief the most of trade and investment op- friendly countries that share deep rooted Mayor included visits to Islamabad, La- Minster of Sindh Syed Murad ali Shah portunities in Pakistan. history and past traditions. hore and Karachi. and discussed wide ranging cooperation The focus of the Mayor’s visit to Paki- As part of his tour in Pakistan for between Karachi and London. He also stan remained to build new business and “Youth Engagement” to be the focus during 2018: Syed Ibne Abbas Youth engagement would be the focus administrative and consular matters; students to further encourage them to more proactive approach in attracting of the High Commission and its four community outreach initiatives; cul- make the best of the available educa- the foreign investment to Pakistan, espe- Consulates during 2018. This was stat- tural, sports and literary activities; and tional and career opportunities in this cially when there is huge scope for it in ed by H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan economic diplomacy with special focus country. He would also brief them about the context of China Pakistan Econom- High Commissioner to the UK while on enhancing trade and promoting in- the enormous opportunities for educat- ic Corridor (CPEC). In this regard, he chairing the “Consuls General Confer- vestment in Pakistan. ed youth in Pakistan. asked the Consuls General to enhance ence” at the High Commission on 08 The High Commissioner said: “The The Consuls General apprised the their interaction with the local Cham- December 2017. The Conference was year 2017 was the year of celebrations High Commissioner of the performance bers of Commerce and Industry. The attended by Consuls General of Pakistan of the 70th Independence Anniversary of their respective Consulates during the High Commissioner said the year 2017 in Birmingham, Bradford, Glasgow and of Pakistan during which we showcased year and outlined their plans for the next was important in the sense that several Manchester as well as the officers of the our rich culture and heritage in a series year. They also discussed the issues and high level visits of the British leadership High Commission. of activities which concluded at the in- challenges faced by the Consulates and to Pakistan took place during this year The purpose of the Conference was stallation of the bust of the Quaid-i- sought guidance from the High Com- including the very successful visit of to review the implementation status of Azam at the Lincoln’s Inn. We would be missioner, who gave them elaborate Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. the decisions made during the last Con- focusing on youth engagement during guidelines for the future with special The day-long Conference discussed ference and to set out goals and targets the year 2018.” emphasis on community facilitation. all important issues relating to the com- for the next year. A wide range of issues The High Commissioner said he The High Commissioner advised the munity and bilateral relations between pertaining to the Consulates of Paki- would be visiting various academic Consuls General to step up their efforts Pakistan and the UK. stan came under discussion, including institutions to meet with the Pakistani to enhance bilateral trade and adopt a High Commissioner raises anti-Pakistan campaign issue with FCO Minister H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, High Commis- sioner for Pakistan to the UK, met with the Rt Hon Mark Field, UK’s Minister of State for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), on 07 December 2017 to convey Pakistan’s serious concerns over anti-Pakistan campaign in London. The High Commissioner urged that the UK government must take note of anti-Pakistan activities on its soil. He also called for investigation into the sources of funding behind the malicious campaign. The Minister showed full understand- ing of Pakistan’s concerns in this regard. He assured to raise the matter with the concerned departments in the UK. Governor Sindh discusses promotion of trade and investment with British Ministers Mr. Muhammed Zubair, Governor isters, the Governor was accompanied Commissioner invited the British inves- visited various British universities. Sindh, met with Mr. Mark Field, Minis- by H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High tors to take advantage of the improved The United Kingdom is an important ter of State for Asia and Pacific and Mr. Commissioner to the UK. business climate in Pakistan and invest trading partner of Pakistan. Pakistani Greg Hands, Minister of Trade Policy on During the meetings, strong interest in the growing economy of the country. exports to British markets are currently 19 December 2017. Detailed discussions was expressed from both sides to further The Governor Sindh visited the UK growing at a rate of 9%. Series of high were held on the promotion of bilater- boost bilateral trade and commercial from 16 to 22 December 2017 along with profile visits from UK to Pakistan and al trade and bringing investment from relations between the two countries. a business delegation to seek collabora- vice versa reflect the strengthening of the UK to Pakistan in various sectors of British side also expressed their sup- tion across various sectors of economy bilateral commercial relations between economy. In this context, he also met port for the “Belt and Road Initiative between Pakistan and the UK. Besides the two countries. with Mr. Rehman Chishti MP, British (BRI)” and expressed their desire to seek meeting with Ministers, Lord Mayor Trade Envoy for Pakistan. collaboration in the execution of CPEC of London and representatives of the In his meetings with the British Min- projects. Governor Sindh and the High business community, the Governor also Karachi again becomes economic hub of Pakistan: Governor Sindh Karachi, the City of Lights, has again outset identified that in order for the community to invest in Pakistan for sioner said: “We celebrated the 70th In- become the economic and commercial economy to take off, challenges of se- better returns. dependence Anniversary of Pakistan hub of Pakistan as the government has curity and energy would have to be Welcoming the Governor, the High throughout the year 2017 by showcasing successfully addressed the challenge of addressed comprehensively. Therefore, Commissioner commended him for our cultural heritage and economic po- security and law & order in the mega both the challenges were grappled with, his contribution towards the econom- tential to the world. The year 2018 would city. For this achievement, credit goes successfully, with the complete consen- ic turnaround of the country, as he re- be the year of Youth Engagement, as our to all the political parties and armed sus of all the stakeholders. He particu- mained an important member of the youth is our future.” A series of high and civil law enforcement agencies. This larly mentioned the positive impact of economic team of the government. profile visits from UK to Pakistan and was stated by Mr Muhammad Zubair, China Pakistan Economic Corridor He also underlined the trade and eco- vice versa reflect the strengthening of Governor Sindh at a dinner reception (CPEC) on the economy and especially nomic opportunities for Pakistan in the bilateral commercial relations between given in his honour by H.E. Syed Ibne on overcoming the shortage of energy. post-Brexit UK—a country Pakistan en- the two friendly countries. Abbas, the High Commissioner at the Improved law and order in Pakistan, joys excellent and multi-faceted bilateral Pakistan High Commission, London on particularly in Karachi, is significantly relations with. The High Commissioner 21 December 2017. encouraging the local and international also appreciated the positive role of the Giving an expert overview of the investors to benefit from the potential diaspora in the progress and develop- Pakistan economy, the Governor said of huge Pakistani market, added the ment of Pakistan. Speaking briefly on the current government from the very Governor. He invited the expatriate Mission’s activities, the High Commis- The pleasant winter and spring of all faiths over the centuries and it flourished as a centre of arts and in par- has for holy men and mystics is that months are a great time to explore re- is said that the Sanskrit Rig-Veda was ticular, ceramics.