ISLAMABAD: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and KateMiddleton, will arrive in Pakistan on Monday night on the four-day royaltour from Oct 14 to 18 as they are “looking forward to building a lastingfriendship with the people of Pakistan.”
According to sources, the royal couple will meet Prime Minister Imran Khanand President Arif Alvi on Tuesday. Following their meeting with Khan andAlvi, the royal couple will pay a visit to Lahore on October 16 and Chitralon October 17.
The visit comes 13 years after Charles and Camilla – the Prince of Walesand the Duchess of Cornwell – toured the country in 2006. Pakistan stillvividly remembers the late Princess Diana’s visit in 1996.
“The UK’s links with Pakistan are extensive, and Their Royal Highnesses arelooking forward to building a lasting friendship with the people ofPakistan,” read a statement by the royal couple’s spokesperson on Oct 4.
During the course of their visit, Prince William and Kate “will pay respectto the historical relationship between Britain and Pakistan” but the largerfocus will remain “on showcasing Pakistan as it is today – a dynamic,aspirational and forward-looking nation”, read the statement.
The handout, released by Kensington Palace, currently the officialresidence of the Duke and Duchess, said that the tour will encompass “themodern leafy capital Islamabad, the vibrant city of Lahore, the mountainouscountryside in the North, and the rugged border regions to the West”.
“The visit will span over 1,000km, and will take in Pakistan’s richculture, its diverse communities, and it’s beautiful landscapes,” it added.
They will also interact with organisations “which empower young people andensure they have the best possible start in life”.
“Access to quality education, particularly to girls and young women is oneof the UK’s top priorities in Pakistan,” mentioned the statement.
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Moreover, they are expected to meet with “a wide variety of people,including children and young people, leaders from government, business andthe charity sector, inspiring conservationists, and well-known culturalfigures and sporting stars.”
A particular attention will be paid to climate change issues affectingPakistan and the positive work being undertaken to combat these challenges.
The official statement also said that throughout the tour the couple wouldvisit programmes which empower young people and see how communities inPakistan are responding and adapting to the effects of climate change.
They will also “spend time understanding the complex security picture inPakistan”. Furthermore, meetings will be held with UK and Pakistan militarypersonnel “who are sharing expertise to improve security”.
“They will learn more about the challenges and opportunities, both of thepast and today. The UK has been a key partner for Pakistan, and the Dukeand Duchess will meet UK and Pakistan military personnel who are sharingexpertise to improve security.”
Earlier this month, the Kensington Palace had described Prince William andKate Middleton’s upcoming visit to Pakistan as their “most complex” tour todate.
