Former Glasgow MP Mohammad Sarwar to become governor of Punjab The UK's first Muslim MP will become the governor of one of the largest provinces of Pakistan. Mohammad Sarwar stepped down as MP for Glasgow Central in 2010 after 13 years and is said to have played a role in the election of prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan last month. Mr Sarwar, who was born in Pakistan, is to be appointed governor of Punjab, one of the largest provinces and includes the country's second largest city, Lahore. His son, Anas Sarwar who won his father's vacated Westminster seat in 2010 and is now deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party, confirmed Mr Sarwar's new role. He tweeted: "Confirmed Pakistan PM has sent summary to President. Sarwar snr to be appointed Governor of Punjab, where he was born & population 90 million. The MP later added on the social networking site: "Feel so proud having just spoken to Sarwar snr & congratulating him on appointment as Governor of Punjab. His response 'I'm ready son!"' Mr Sarwar said: "I would like to thank the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, for asking me to take on the role of Governor of Punjab. It is a high honour for me to be invited to serve the country of my birth and the people of Pakistan. I left Scotland with a heavy heart, leaving behind family, friends and colleagues who have given me such tremendous support over the years. In particular, I would wish to thank the people of Glasgow for the warmth and respect they have shown me in the past and for the many, many good wishes they have sent me for the future. I am not naive about the challenges which lie ahead. This is a big job but it is one I will approach with the same values and principles I have stood up for all my life; to help lift people out of poverty and support them to fulfil their life chances. I believe the best route to meeting that goal is through education and I look forward to working with a dynamic Chief Minister, many friends and colleagues across Pakistan and the world to achieve that.  Mr Sarwar's dual British and Pakistani citizenship held up his appointment but he told reporters in Pakistan that he would give up his British citizenship to take up the role.