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The current Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Mohammed Shafiq, has recently been the subject of public discussion following the disclosure of a council tax administrative reminder issued to him two years ago. The matter, which surfaced as part of routine transparency checks for high-profile public officials, involved a missed payment that required a formal nudge from the local authority’s finance department. Sources close to the Council confirm that the oversight was a historic matter from 2023 and has since been fully resolved, with no outstanding liabilities remaining. While such disclosures often draw scrutiny, supporters of the Lord Mayor point to his long-standing record of public service and the administrative nature of the error as context for his otherwise distinguished career.
Born in the village of Doral in Mirpur, Pakistan, Councillor Shafiq’s journey to the civic head of Bradford is a testament to the immigrant experience in the United Kingdom. He arrived in the city in 1984 at the age of twelve, unable to speak a word of English. His early years were defined by hard work and integration, as he attended a local language center before progressing to Bradford and Ilkley Community College. Before entering the political arena, he worked a variety of roles across the district, including shifts at the famous Karachi Restaurant, serving as a petrol station attendant, and working as a private hire taxi driver to support his education and family.
Determined to advocate for the vulnerable, he earned a BA (Hons) in Social Sciences from Bradford University and a Diploma in Social Work in 1999. This led to a professional career spanning over two decades in child protection and safeguarding. His expertise in cultural nuances has seen him instructed as an independent cultural expert for various local authorities nationwide, particularly in complex cases involving the safe return of children to the UK. This professional background has heavily influenced his political priorities, which focus on poverty reduction and securing resources for underprivileged families across the Bradford district.
Elected to represent the Bradford Moor ward in 2006, Councillor Shafiq has navigated a steady climb through the ranks of the Labour Party. He has previously served as a deputy portfolio holder for housing, planning, and regeneration, and has chaired both the Bradford East Area committee and the Regulatory and Appeal committee. His appointment as Lord Mayor for the 2025-2026 civic year is particularly significant as it coincides with Bradford’s tenure as the UK City of Culture. In this role, he has launched a dual-charity appeal supporting the Umeed Welfare Trust, which provides healthcare in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, and Bradford District & Craven Mind, focusing on local mental health support.
Family remains at the heart of the Lord Mayor’s life. He is married to Naheed Akhtar, and the couple has four children who are currently pursuing high-level professional careers in dentistry, law, and optometry. A devout member of the Madni Masjid and the Islamic Cultural Educational Association, he is a fluent speaker of English, Urdu, and Punjabi. Despite the recent attention regarding his past council tax reminder, Councillor Shafiq continues to lead the district’s civic engagements with a focus on his personal motto of humility and hard work, often spending his rare leisure time supporting Bradford City Football Club.
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