London’s Deputy Mayor, Nicky Gavron today (Friday 07 March) met with Mr Muhammad Tariq Hassan, Deputy Mayor of Karachi, as part of his fact-finding tour of the capital.

Deputy Mayor of London, Nicky Gavron, said: ‘Britain has strong and close relations with Pakistan and London is home to nearly 130,000 people of Pakistani origin, so we are delighted Deputy Mayor Hassan has found the time to visit City Hall. There are many similarities between our cities, which each have huge and growing populations and thriving commercial sectors. Both have new strategic authorities. We have shown the Deputy Mayor how we run things in London and have learned a great deal from his experience in the process.’

Deputy Mayor of Karachi, Mr Hassan, said: ‘London is a dynamic city undergoing rapid change and it has been enlightening to see its city government in operation. The congestion charge is a bold new traffic measure that I have been particularly interested to learn more about. I hope my visit helps foster even closer links between London and Karachi and that we continue to share experiences and knowledge in future years.’

Mr Hassan visited the Mayor of London’s headquarters to discuss the role of an executive Mayor, London’s system of city government and its work on transport and development. Karachi, the commercial capital of Pakistan with a population of over 10 million, has recently initiated a City District Government as part of moves to devolve power in the country. This new strategic body has some similarities with the functions of the Greater London Authority (GLA).

Also on the agenda were strengthening business links between the two cities, and how to best acknowledge the links between London’s Pakistani community and Karachi. Mr Hassan’s visit was the culmination of a week-long tour of the capital organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The GLA also hosted a meeting between Karachi’s Deputy Mayor and members of the Muslim Council of Britain’s London Task Group, Mr Tanzeem Wasti and Dr Zahoor Qurashi.

Mr Tanzeem Wasti, Chair of the Muslim Council of Britain’s London Task Group, said: ‘We are delighted to have met with Mr Hassan to establish contacts and strengthen bridges between London’s Pakistani and Muslim communities and Karachi, Pakistan’s commercial and industrial hub. Discussing issues that affect London’s Pakistani population and finding out about the rapid development of Karachi has greatly enhanced understanding between our two cities and their communities.’

ABOUT LONDON'S PAKISTANI POPULATION

London's Pakistani population is estimated to be in the region of 128,505 (1.8%) according to 1999 figures. This represents 18 per cent of the British Pakistani community in England. Pakistanis own nearly 1,700 businesses in London (0.6 % of the city’s total), which are estimated to employ 6,000 people. (Figures taken from The Contribution of Asian Businesses to London's economy, GLA, 2000).

Click here to visit the Greater London Authority website.

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