The Royal couple will be visiting Pakistan for the first time and are expected to arrive in Islamabad at 9 pm today This visit will be the first royal tour of the country since 2006, when the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall travelled to Pakistan. This year, the Duke and Duchess will be visiting the “breadth and depth” of Pakistan like their predecessors, according to British High Commissioner Thomas Drew.
“It will,of course,pay respect to the historical relationship between Britain & Pakistan. But it will focus largely on showcasing Pakistan as it is today: a dynamic, aspirational and forward looking nation,” he said.
He also went on to add that the Duke and Duchess are looking forward to meeting as many Pakistanis as possible, in efforts to build a lasting friendship and familiarity with this community.
The itinerary for their five day stay will go as such: stops at Islamabad, Lahore, Gilgit-Baltistan and rugged border regions to the West will be due, with the total visit to span over 1000 kilometres in order to take in Pakistan’s rich culture, diverse communities, and beautiful landscapes. The information provided on an official handout by Kensington Palace also stated that, “access to quality education, particularly to girls and young women is one of the UK’s top priorities in Pakistan”. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said their stay here would help further improve ties between Britain and Pakistan. Qureshi recalled how Prince William’s mother, Princess Diana, had come to Pakistan in the 1990s to participate in a fund-raising event for Imran Khan’s Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, adding that Pakistanis still fondly remember the Princess.
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