Sadiq Khan brings 'London is open' invitation to Karachi, visits Quaid's mausoleum

Published December 8, 2017
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan pays his respects at the Quaid mausoleum on Friday.—DawnNews
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan pays his respects at the Quaid mausoleum on Friday.—DawnNews

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, during his visit to Karachi on Friday, said that he was proud of his Pakistani heritage, adding that it had been "a privilege" to have visited the country.

After arriving in the city, he visited the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam amid strict security, where he offered fateha and laid down flower wreaths on the grave of the founder of Pakistan.

Talking to the media later, he reiterated his invitation to London, saying Britain's capital was open to everyone for education, business or tourism.

Also read: Exclusive — London will remain open to talent from Pakistan, says Sadiq Khan

"It is a simple message that can be summed up in three words: London is open," he said, referring to the campaign that he launched following the European Union referendum. Khan added that London and Pakistan share "a long history".

Karachi is Khan's last stop in Pakistan. He arrived in Lahore via the Wagah Border after his visit to India, on Wednesday. He was welcomed by officials from the Punjab government and later met the provincial Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

On Thursday he visited Islamabad, where he met with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

Khan is the first-ever mayor of London to make an official visit to Pakistan. His visits to India and Pakistan are part of the #LondonIsOpen campaign. The trip is aimed at strengthening trade and investment links as well as promoting cultural exchange.

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