Shaukat Ali Becomes Manchester’s New Lord Mayor

British-Pakistani politician Shaukat Ali has become the new Lord Mayor of Manchester. The city formally appointed him as its 128th Lord Mayor during an official ceremony. In addition, Ali described the occasion as emotional because his mother passed away just one day earlier after a long illness.
Ali was born in Pakistan in 1965 and grew up in Batli, Azad Kashmir. He moved to Manchester at the age of 16 and started working in textile manufacturing. Later, he ran a furniture business and a small food outlet. He also worked as a licensed taxi driver while studying English during evening classes.

From Taxi Driver to Lord Mayor

After improving his education, Ali earned an IT diploma from City College Manchester. He then entered local politics and built a strong public service career. Since first becoming a councilor in 2012, he has served on several important committees.
For example, he worked on planning and highways, children’s scrutiny, neighborhood services, and regional boards. As a result, he gained experience in community development and local government affairs.
During his first speech as Lord Mayor, Ali praised Manchester’s diversity and strong community spirit. He said people from different cultures and beliefs help shape the city’s identity. Furthermore, he shared that Manchester had given him every opportunity to succeed.

Focus on Children and Community Support

Ali, a father of four, said he wants to support children in social care during his mayoral year. He also plans to promote stronger community cohesion across the city.
Meanwhile, the ceremony marked the departure of outgoing Lord Mayor Carmine Grimshaw. Councilors praised his work and highlighted his visits across Manchester’s communities during his term.