British HC terms royal couple’s visit to Pakistan as link to historical relations

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – British High Commissioner (HC) to Pakistan Thomas Drew has termed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton’s visit to Pakistan as link to historical relations. In a video message, Thomas Drew expressed optimism that royal couple’s to Pakistan will help promote historic relations between Pakistan and the UK. He said it will be an exciting program and will focus largely on today’s Pakistan and its dynamic, aspirational and forward looking nation. The Brititsh HC said the royal couple would like to see the length and breadth of the country, ranging from modern leafy capital Islamabad to vibrant city of Lahore, the mountainous countryside of North and rugged border region of the West. He said they will get the flavor of enormous opportunities in the hands of Pakistan's young population as well as the country responding to the challenges like climate change. Thomas Drew said Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton hope to meet as many Pakistanis as possible during the course of the visit, especially the young people who would shape the country's future. The British HC further said they are looking forward to build a lasting friendship with people of Pakistan. He hoped they would get a very warm welcome during visit to Pakistan. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will land in Islamabad on October 14 at 9:30pm in Noor Khan Air base where they will be given red carpet welcome. All preparations to provide red carpet have been completed. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will also be given guard of honour. The Royal couple will be welcomed by the federal ministers, officials from Foreign Office (FO) and he British ambassadors at Noor Khan Airbase in Islamabad. The British royal couple will arrive in Pakistan along with a security team consist in large numbers of officials. Over 40 doctors, paramedics and medical staff will also be part of the security team for the British royal couple. Prince William and his wife will meet President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan on October 15. The royal couple will visit a school, college in F-7 sector and they will attend the ceremony of private institution. The British guests will also be part of a special event on the Pakistan Monument. On October 16, Prince William and Kate Middleton will visit SOS Children’s Villages, Aitchison College and Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore. The British royal couple will leave for Chitral on October 17 and meet with the locals. It was also reported that if the security and weather would be normal then the British guests will also visit Dara Khyber, the fort. The British royal couple will depart for home from Noor Khan Airbase on October 18 at 1pm. “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will attend a special event at the Aga Khan Centre on October 2, hosted by His Highness The Aga Khan. The event falls ahead of TRH’s official visit to Pakistan, which will take place from October 14 to 18,” a statement by the Kensington Palace said. The visit comes 13 years after Charles and Camilla — the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwell — toured the country in 2006. Pakistan still remembers the late Princess Diana’s visit in 1996.