Pakistan, Scotland celebrate 20 years of Glasgow-Lahore twinning partnership with cultural celebration
Leaders pledge stronger trade, education and cultural collaboration
LAHORE – Glasgow has marked the 20th anniversary of its twinning partnership with Lahore with a civic reception celebrating two decades of friendship, cultural exchange and collaboration between the two cities.
The event, hosted by Lord Provost Dr Jacqueline McLaren at Glasgow City Chambers, brought together civic leaders, members of the Pakistani diaspora and representatives from business, academia and the arts. Pakistan's Consul General, Summar Javed, attended the ceremony and highlighted the importance of expanding the relationship into new areas of cooperation.
The reception also featured the opening of the Lahore Exhibition, showcasing the city's rich cultural heritage through the work of Glasgow-based Pakistani interdisciplinary artist, poet, photographer and cultural strategist Syeda Sadaf Anwar Zaidi.
Pakistan-Scotland ties
Zaidi's exhibition explored themes of migration, identity, freedom, justice, belonging and collective memory, reflecting the deep cultural connections between Lahore and Glasgow. The exhibition formed a key part of the anniversary celebrations, drawing visitors from across civic, cultural and community organisations.
The reception was attended by councillors, members of the Pakistani diaspora and representatives from business, academia, culture and the wider community, underlining the broad support for the long-standing partnership.
A special tribute was paid to the late Councillor Hanzala Malik, whose vision and leadership led to the creation of the Glasgow-Lahore Twinning Partnership. Organisers recognised his contribution in laying the foundations for a relationship that has strengthened cooperation and friendship between the two cities over the past 20 years.
The partnership has supported several initiatives over the years, including collaboration between children's hospitals in Glasgow and Lahore, educational links and assistance provided to Punjab's Rescue 1122 emergency service during its establishment, alongside other joint projects.
Future plans
Addressing the gathering, Consul General Summar Javed congratulated Glasgow City Council on reaching the milestone and described the partnership as a symbol of the enduring friendship between Glasgow and Lahore.
He said the next phase should focus on expanding practical cooperation in trade, education, culture, innovation and youth engagement, while continuing to strengthen the people-to-people connections that have remained at the heart of the partnership.
Lord Provost Dr Jacqueline McLaren also described the anniversary as an important milestone reflecting the lasting friendship between the two cities. She reaffirmed Glasgow's commitment to deepening collaboration with Lahore across trade, education and culture while building even stronger links between the people of both cities.
The Consulate General of Pakistan said it looks forward to continuing its close cooperation with Glasgow City Council and partners in Lahore to further strengthen the long-standing partnership in the years ahead.