London is open: Sadiq Khan’s message to Karachi’s all and sundry

London Mayor Sadiq Khan addressed a rapt audience at Habib University on Friday in his characteristically intelligent and self-effacing manner.

Born to Pakistani parents in London, Khan was elected mayor of London with outstanding support in May 2016, amidst unpleasant accusations concerning his Muslim identity levelled by his rival Tory candidate.

Opening his speech, Khan said, “As you know, I am a proud Londoner. What has been remarkable on this visit is that it reminds us that we have so much in common; and there are far more things that we have in common than things that divide us.”

On this business trip, there are three words he said he wants the world to know: “London is open! It is open to trade, business, education, cultural programmes, sports and, of course, for the cricket world cup in 2019.”

Khan’s talk was attended by a large number of the varsity’s students and faculty, media persons, businesspersons as well as dignitaries. The session was moderated by prominent novelist and HU faculty member, Sabyn Javeri, following which the London mayor interacted with the students and answered their questions.

Responding to questions with regards to political and urban planning challenges, he emphasised on taking the public into confidence on living in a multicultural city, on planning for the future, and on working with other cities around the world for the benefit of both.

In an articulate piece of advice for this metropolis’s administration, Khan stated, “Growth is not a problem. But a lack of planning for growth is.” Preparing to produce future job opportunities is an important investment, he added.

With respect to his life’s journey, which is an apt example of ‘shattering the glass ceiling’, Khan believed that, “When you work hard and have a helping hand, you can achieve anything.” In his case, he said, education played a pivotal role.

Furthermore, Khan’s talk focused on the importance of cultural understanding and empowerment of women. “Culture is the DNA of all great cities.” While preparing for this trip, the mayor said he read Jinnah’s speeches. “Pakistan’s founder spoke about the importance of religious freedom, democracy and women’s rights – which are some of the things that this university is teaching its students,” he said of Habib University’s achievements.

As per Khan, Pakistan has a great future ahead, because it is the people who make the future of a country, while its culture acts as an adhesive. Answering another question regarding how the youth could have an effective say in the country’s politics, Khan emphasised on getting involved in community politics and civic campaigns. “You are not a customer, you are a citizen. You have got to get involved in your community, civic society. It is important to get involved.”

Asked about how he found his host city Karachi to be, the mayor stated, “Karachi is great…there is a great buzz, the cultural life is amazing, and some of the things you do, you do really well – whether it is music, culture, and of course the food is second to none!”

An optimist about Pak-UK ties

The London mayor found the state of economic ties between the UK and Pakistan as highly satisfactory with hopes of the bond progressing to even greater heights in times to come.

This optimism was expressed by Khan while addressing a brief impromptu presser on the British Council premises. He also expressed satisfaction with the security situation in the country and said that he was happy to see that the condition was indicating of positive trends.

He said he was really touched by the love and warmth he received in Pakistan and that he would be going back home with the happiest of memories of the place. Khan further said he was thrilled by the fact of returning to the place where he had his moorings.

“London is open,” reiterated the mayor. “It is the greatest city in the world and you can achieve anything that you may have aspired for,” he added. It is a great city of culture and education, he said, as he expressed hope that young Pakistanis would choose London as their destination for higher studies. Of Pak-British ties, Khan said they were highly cordial and that they would strengthen even further.

Having addressed the presser, mayor Khan played audience to cricket matches held between various teams of schools from low-income areas of the town. Comprising girls and boys teams, the matches had been arranged under the British Council’s Dosti project.

Khan visited the project on the last leg of his six-day tour of the country and fully participated in all the fun that was going on. He not only had his selfies shot along with the children from these schools, he also met with community workers, youth workers and sports coaches.

Dosti is a project initiated by the British Council in, 2012 and works towards mitigating social barriers and promoting inclusivity through sport. The success of this project could be gauged from the fact that one of its participants, Umaima Arif, has gone on to play cricket at the national level. Mayor Sadiq Khan said, “It has been fantastic to see the passion and skills of Karachi’s young cricketers. This just goes to show how grassroots sport can inspire and change young people’s lives.”

He also met other sports personalities, including Mushtaq Ahmed, head coach at the National Cricket Academy and a former player of the Pakistan and Surrey cricket teams. Also present on the occasion was former international squash legend, Jehangir Khan. Both Ahmed and Jehangir Khan participated in the children’s cricket games, Mushtaq being the bowler and Jehangir Khan standing as the umpire.

At the CM’s reception

Besides visiting the Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum and offering prayers at his grave, the London mayor later in the evening visited a reception hosted by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

The event was attended by prominent businessmen, former sports personalities, academicians among other notables. The chief minister along with his cabinet members, Nisar Khuhro, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, Jam Mehtab Dahar, chief secretary Rizwan Memon, chairman P&D Mohammad Waseem and principal secretary Sohail Rajput, held a meeting with Khan and London’s deputy mayor for business Rajesh Agrawal.

In the meeting, the two sides discussed business expansion opportunities in Sindh, exchange of delegations of businessmen between the two countries, and exploring other opportunities of trade and commerce in the province. Murad appreciated Khan’s visit to Karachi and his meetings with businessmen, saying the activity would bear fruitful in promotion of trade and commerce.

The CM said the visit was of great value in terms of interaction between the business communities of the two countries. “We are proud that our Muslim and Pakistani brother is the mayor of the beautiful city of London,” Murad said as he told Khan of how glad he was to host him at the CM House.

He also recognised the investment friendly policy of the London mayor’s administration. Dressed in the traditional Sherwani, Sadiq Khan at the beginning of his address jokingly asked the gathering to not mistake him for a bridegroom for he just chose to attend the event in the conventional attire.

Speaking of Pakistani politicians, he said that some of the most leading politicians of the Indo-Pak region, such as Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah; Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and various others; chose to study in London. “I am proud to be the Mayor of a city which is known for having the best educational institutions from where your [Pakistan’s] politicians, doctors and engineers have received education.”

Expressing his admiration for Karachi, Khan said the city was beautiful and has great potential for investment. He said the idea of travelling with a delegation of businessmen was to increase their interaction with the city’s business community to explore more investment opportunities.