Pakistan ought to learn from Britain, says new Oxford Lord Mayor

LONDON/OXFORD: Niaz Abbasi, recently elected as Lord Mayor of Oxford, said he was humbled that he had been elected by his fellow councillors to this level and this would perhaps not be possible in Pakistan where positions are brought through wealth and backing by the powerful political and social mafias.
In an interview to The News, he said, “All the citizens of Oxford have shown trust in me and it’s a great honour for me. By electing me as the Lord Mayor of this great city, my fellow councillors have shown that western democracies flourish because merit is given priority and human beings of all faiths and origins are respected for what they are. This also shows that Britain has become the most successful multi-cultural and dieverse country in the world where differences are respected and diversity appreciated.”
Niaz Abbasi was born in a remote village of Ghoi, Tehsil Murree and completed his graduation in commerce from Karachi before migrating to the United Kingdom in 1963 and settling in the city where he worked for many years for a telephone company. Abbasi expressed his praise for the democratic system at the local and national level which allows hard-working and competent people to rise through the ranks.
He said: “There is a lot that Pakistan can learn from Britain in terms of how this country has been able to accommodate people from all over the world and everyone is happily practising his religion and political views. There is no extremism and violence of the kind we see in Muslim countries. Pakistan can learn positive lesson from these countries and apply in Pakistan for good governance and stop being slaves to looters and plunderers.”
Liberal Democrat Councillor Altaf Khan, who was first cabinet member for community development and has served in the city as a Liberal Democrat Councillor for seven years, said that Abbasi’s rise was a historic moment for the city’s Pakistan and Asian communities. “It has opened the door for the future generations. Asians in this city are well integrated and known for their hard work. Pakistanis here enjoy great respect because they are very much part of the local life and are dedicated to local values.”
Oxford City now has a population of about 150,000. About 10 percent are Asians. The rise of 70-year-old Niaz Abbasi is also very interesting. He was elected by the fellow councillors after the resignation of Lord Mayor Councillor Alan Armitage of Liberal Democrats, who resigned after it was alleged that he made an inappropriate and disrespectful remark during an official event in the city.
Oxford City is famous for its world-class Oxford University and picturesque dream-inspiring scenes. The city is also known for the fact that many of Pakistan’s leading politicians such as Benazir Bhutto, her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Imran Khan and Bilwal Bhutto studied here and became soul of the local student life.
Abbasi earlier made history in 2002 when he became the first Muslim councillor in the Oxford City Council where only four out of 48 councillors are of Pakistan origin. He was elected as Deputy Lord Mayor of Oxford City in May 2012.
The history of the Oxford City Council dates back to 1122 and since then no non-white person has reached the highest post of Lord Mayor – also known as the first citizen of Oxford.