Hounslow to Lahore in one go

I met karamat Malik many many years ago we were both fresh out of education looking for jobs and joined together doing some scummy job together it was hard work but we always had a good time and after a while we moved on and got on with life and lost touch  but occasionally bumped into  each other and what kept our friendship going was our love for Lahore. 

Karamat is a true reflection of Lahori hospitality and open heartedness and what he recently achieved for Lahore with the help of some of his friends is exemplary 

Karamat recently turned up at my door step out of the blue and I was delighted to see him he came bearing good news telling me that him and some pf his friends have just returned from Lahore where they went to as state guests of Government of Pakistan and took with them the Mayor of London borough of Hounslow this was all done in an effort to twin Lahore Cantt with Hounslow.

Councilors from Hounslow made a visit to Lahore as final official confirmation of the twinning. Delegates from Lahore Cantt had previously visited Hounslow and attended a Borough Council meeting in September 1999. Since then world events meant that a number of successive visits had to be cancelled

PAKISTAN'S second largest city, Lahore, was officially twinned with the borough of Hounslow this week when the Mayor signed a twinning charter with the Chief Executive of the Lahore Cantonment Board.

Both the Hounslow and Lahore delegates are delighted that the final stage of the twinning has now been successfully completed.

"I was overwhelmed by the courtesy and friendship extended to us by the people of Lahore" said Cllr Roger Clarke, Mayor of the London Borough of Hounslow.

"We visited a primary school and a women's degree college and despite the scarcity of resources, could see that staff were doing a remarkable job and children and students were keen to learn. We also visited a hospital and congratulated staff for their dedication and service to the community.

"I believe that our twinning with Lahore will bring benefits to both communities as officers from both communities are dedicated and motivated people."

Delegates met with the Chief Minister of Punjab, Chaudhry Perwaiz Elahi who thanked the Mayor, Cllr Clarke for his support in the town twinning.

Cllr Ilyas Kwaja, the Co-Chair of the Town Twinning Association who organised the visit said: "I am delighted that the visit went so well. This is the final phase of the ceremony which officially completes our town twinning with Lahore. Delegates from Lahore Cantt signed the first part of the twinning charter at the Hounslow Borough Council back in 1999 but a series of events have delayed our completing the association. Changes in the government in Pakistan in October 1999, world events including the war in Iraq, and the sickness of the Mayor last October meant that a number of trips had to be delayed, so we are delighted that we have been finally able to complete the process. We are now looking to see whether we can arrange mutual projects that will benefit both communities.

"I would like to particularly thank Mr. Ata, the Secretary of the Town Twinning Association and Mr. Karamat Ali Malik, the Treasurer for their dedication and hard work to make this happen."