All smiles as William and Kate meet PM Khan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday commended the visiting Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for “promoting positive activities in Pakistan” as he mentioned their efforts on raising worldwide awareness on climate change, inequality, and education.

The Prime Minister, in a meeting with Prince William and Kate Middleton here at the Prime Minister House, appreciated the royal couple for holding interaction with young Pakistanis, including schoolchildren. The meeting that lasted for half an hour was held in a “warm and cordial atmosphere”.

Prime Minister Khan recalled the love and affection among the people of Pakistan for Prince William’s late mother Princess Diana, because of her compassion and support for charitable causes.

He updated the royal couple of Pakistan’s domestic priorities and also international perspective, particularly the relations with India post-August 5, and the support for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. The Duke of Cambridge termed Pakistan “a very important country for the United Kingdom”. He thanked the government of Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to them and their entourage. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew, Principal Private Secretary to the Duke Simon Case, Communications Secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Christian Jones. The Prime Minister later hosted a luncheon for the Duke and the Duchess.

Earlier on their arrival at the Prime Minister House, the Prime Minister received Prince William and Kate Middleton at the main entrance. Around 30 representatives from British media outlets, also part of the royal entourage, were given an opportunity to cover the arrival and departure of the Duke and the Duchess. Duchess Kate Middleton exuded elegance wearing a green sherwani-collar style long shirt, paired with white trousers and a traditional printed stole with dangling tassels. The choice of her dress, that matched the bi-colour Pakistani flag, was in particular admired by the mainstream national media as a gesture of respect for the host country.

The royal couple is on a five-day visit to Pakistan and will also visit Lahore and the country’s northern areas.The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge began a series of formal meetings on Tuesday with a call on President Dr Arif Alvi and Begum Samina Alvi, where they discussed climate change and measures to alleviate poverty. The Royal couple earlier in the day visited a school and had a walk at the Margalla hills national park.

Accompanied by British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew and other staff members, the President commended the visiting dignitaries for their endeavours to raise awareness about mental health, climate change, and poverty alleviation. A statement from the President House said the Duke of Cambridge thanked the President for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his entourage. The Royal couple appreciated the initiatives undertaken by the government of Pakistan to combat climate change and alleviate poverty.