ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that it is wrong to perceive that Chinese business class is being given concession in the backdrop of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He spoke of close ties between Pakistan and United Kingdom as he received Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in his office Thursday. Mayor Islamabad Sheikh Ansar Aziz was also present on the occasion. Prime Minister Abbasi reminded that government of Pakistan accorded great importance to its close and cooperative relations with the United Kingdom, especially in the areas of trade and investment. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan paid a courtesy call on the prime minister. The Mayor accompanied by a 25-member delegation including business and media persons, is on his first visit to Pakistan, after assuming office. The prime minister welcoming the Mayor said that every Pakistani is proud of his election as Mayor of London and prays for his success. The prime minister recalled his meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May in New York and said that the government of Pakistan accorded great importance to its close and cooperative relations with the United Kingdom. The prime minister briefed the Mayor on the excellent opportunities for trade and investment in Pakistan. He informed the Mayor that due to the government’s efforts, Pakistan had surplus energy, and in view of its successful counterterrorism efforts, Pakistan has become an opportune destination for UK businesses. He hoped that the Mayor and his delegation, including the businessmen, would take this message to London that Pakistan is open and welcoming for trade, investment and meaningful cooperation. Mayor Sadiq Khan informed the prime minister about his successful meetings with officials, media and businessmen after arrival in Pakistan. He said that he was impressed by the remarkable progress achieved by the government in different areas, especially in infrastructure, technology and energy. He said that his visit had served to remove misperceptions and that he and his team would work towards strengthening economic links with Pakistan. He also mentioned that there were 1.7 million Pakistani-origin UK citizens who were proud of their heritage and gave the Pakistan-UK relations a special closeness. He invited Pakistan to take advantage of the favourable business opportunities in the UK post-Brexit. It was UK’s objective to develop closer economic partnerships with all countries especially those in the Commonwealth. He assured the prime minister that he would work towards fostering closer links towards London, as its Mayor, and Pakistan. The Mayor also informed the prime minister about his unveiling of the bust of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at the British Museum in a dignified ceremony on November 28, 2017 as part of the 70th Independence anniversary of Pakistan. The bust is now placed in the prestigious Lincoln's Inn. He recalled the event and paid rich tributes to the founding father of the nation. Earlier Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi received Furkat Sidikov, ambassador of Uzbekistan. The prime minister welcoming the ambassador said that Pakistan accorded great importance to its close and cooperative relations with Uzbekistan and wished to strengthen these relations, with special focus on trade and investment. Ambassador Sidikov conveyed the greetings of President Uzbekistan to the prime minister and briefed him on the progress of ongoing economic cooperation between both the countries. It was agreed that the trade relations between the two countries needed to be enhanced to reflect the true economic potential of the two countries. The prime minister also conveyed his best wishes for the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and brotherly people of Uzbekistan.
