Tooting’s MP has led a delegation to Pakistan to view flood damage and campaign for increased support for flood victims.

Sadiq Khan travelled to the ravaged country to assess the ongoing flood relief effort, following one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history.

The mission, which was organised by Islamic Relief, aimed to raise the profile of a major campaign to freeze Pakistan’s debt repayments - which are currently crippling the state’s response to the floods.

Mr Khan backed the calls of the poverty campaign group ONE, Oxfam, Jubilee Debt Campaign and Muslim Aid to freeze Pakistan’s $3bn annual debt repayments for two years.

He said: “Many residents in Tooting and Balham have friends and relatives who live in Pakistan, and many more local residents have been shocked to see the impact the flood is having in the news.

“The British public have yet again shown their compassion and willingness to act to save lives when disaster strikes. When it come to recovering from floods of this magnitude, every penny counts.

“I know that the generosity shown by people in Britain and around the world to those suffering in Pakistan is very much appreciated.

“But now it’s time for governments to step up and ensure that while people give with one hand, they don’t take away with the other.”

To sign a petition to freeze the debt visit one.org.