Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough, has signed a letter calling for the Prime Minister of Pakistan to move forward with the construction of an airport in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir region.
The letter claims that Kashmiris in the UK have been pushing for the new airport as they are often faced with long journeys when they wish to visit the area.
The airport would be built for the city of Mirpur in the Kashmir region of Pakistan, which is the subject of a territorial dispute with India and China, and a religious conflict between Muslims and Hindus.
The letter states: “Our concern is that the long-standing promise of an international airport in Mirpur has yet to be met.
“The nearest airport to the region is Islamabad International Airport, approximately 80 miles (130 km) by road from Mirpur City.
Tan Dhesi: government support should be put to good use at Slough Borough Council
“The Kashmiri diaspora in the UK, including significant numbers of our constituents, have concerns regarding the journey times by road.
“Often taking in excess of three hours driving, following a long haul flight – these journeys are genuine inhibitors to travel, and we are hearing increasing demands for an international airport in the region.”
The letter was authored by Mohammad Yasin, Labour MP for Bedford and Kempston.
Mr Dhesi said: “Part of my job as MP for Slough is not just to make representations on behalf of constituents nationally, but also internationally.
“With a large number of people in Slough born outside of the UK, convenient travel to and from the UK to places such as Kashmir is vital for my constituents to visit family and friends; not to mention that it will increase trade and economic growth for both nations.
“While fake news suggests that the letter I signed calls for UK taxpayers to fund this, the truth is that this is simply not the case – we have asked the Pakistan Government to fulfil its longstanding promise to Kashmiris to build an international airport in Mirpur.”
“I will always fight for the very best deal for all in Slough, from easier air travel to Pakistan, or Amritsar in India, or other destinations globally; to faster, more reliable local rail connections to an expanded Heathrow airport.”
He was one of 18 MPs to sign the letter along with Lord Qurban Hussain and Shaffaq Mohammed.
Fact-checking website Full Fact stressed the letter is addressed to Shehbaz Sharif, the PM of Pakistan, and not Sir Kier Starmer, the Labour PM of the UK.
Furthermore, false claims that the politicians have called for the British government to fund the Mirpur airport project have been dispelled.
However, the letter has proved controversial as constituents have questioned why British politicians are spending their time lobbying for the airport rather than focusing on local matters.
Closer to home, Mr Dhesi leads an All-Party Parliamentary Group to create a Western Rail Link to Heathrow Airport.
He also supports a third runway for Heathrow, a project that has been revived by the Labour government.
