Tariq Azim Khan

Tariq Azim Khan, who was born on 15 April, 1945 at Batala (East Punjab - India), joined as High Commissioner for Pakistan to Canada on 28 September 2015. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Gordon College, Rawalpindi (1963), Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial Administration from London (1968) and MBA Degree from Brunel University, London (1971).

During his school days he won major debating competitions and in college he was the secretary of the students union. While at university he established the Asian Students Association in 1967/8 and was elected chairman.

After completion of his studies, he worked as Management Consultant with Industrial Society UK, and has been a Director for his family-owned business. He took a small office and began an import/export business and small distribution business in London. In 1972 he began importing material, mostly domestic appliances, from the Far East for worldwide distribution but mostly to Africa.

Alongside this he began a shipping business and in 1979 he started importing sports goods from Pakistan and Taiwan for European and American distribution. It was around this time that he added Lotus sportswear to his range of products. In 1989 he started distributing food, mostly canned goods, and drinks within Europe and that remained his company’s main line of interest, otherwise throughout he has always diversified his business taking advantage of new products and markets.

Throughout his working life he has always left time for other interests. In 1974 he was a founding member of the Standing Committee of Pakistani Organisations (SCOPO). He established the Asian Action Committee during racial disturbances in the early 1970’s and was a member of the Asian leaders delegation which held talks with the then Prime Minister of Britain James Callaghan.

Tariq Azim was elected the first secretary general of the National Organisation of African, Asian and Caribbean peoples which was an umbrella organisation formed when 550 ethnic groups met at Birmingham University in 1976. Since then he has been a member of the various community organisations and was elected general secretary of the UK Pakistan Cultural Foundation when it was set up in 1985.

He was also a founding member and director of the UK Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and was Convenor of the Chamber. Tariq Azim was appointed a member of the Arts Council of Great Britain in 1988 and in 1990 was made a Commissioner with the commission for Racial Equality and was re-appointed again 1992 for a second term.

Tariq Azim Khan served as Media Adviser on honorary basis with the rank of Minister at High Commission for Pakistan, London (UK), from January-December 2000. He was elected as a Senator to the Senate of Pakistan for the term 2003-2006, and was re-elected in 2006 for 2006-2012 term.

He was Chairman of Senate's Standing Committee for Planning and Development from 2003-2004, a member of Senate's Committee on Foreign Affairs 2007-2012 and member of Senate's Committee on Information from 2007-2009. Tariq Azim served as Federal Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis from 2004 to 2006 and Federal Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting from 2006 to 2007.

He headed the Media Cell of Pakistan Muslim League (N) from 2012 to May 2013 when General Elections were held in Pakistan which his party won.

Tariq Azim believes that the scenario in Britain has changed radically. With 54% of our children born in the UK and 95% of immigrants are permanently settled. The time has come to realise that most people do not want to return to Pakistan to live. Our people have to come out of their close knit community, which does not mean losing your values or giving up your religion but get involved being a part of a different community and reflecting your needs and values within that community.

He has two sons; Rafi Azim Khan is the eldest and is a practising solicitor in London, while Amir Azim Khan is an economist also in London.