The British royal couple, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton arrived here on Monday on a five-day visit to Pakistan. The royal couple was received by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qurershi, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew and other senior government officials at Nur Khan airbase. The royal guests were given a warm welcome upon their arrival at the airbase. Two children clad in traditional dresses presented a bouquet of flowers to the distinguished guests. The guests thanked them and talked to them for a while.

Talking to media persons at the airport, the foreign minister said that the visit has a historical importance and it will portray a positive image of Pakistan across the world. He said that the trip will also add further momentum to the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The royal couple will call on President Dr Arif Ali and Prime Minister Imran Khan today (Tuesday).

The visiting guests will pay a visit to Lahore on October 16 and Chitral on October 17. British High Commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew said during their five-day visit, the royal couple would visit the 'breadth and depth' of Pakistan. In his video message shared on Twitter, the High Commissioner said the visit would largely focus on showcasing Pakistan as a dynamic, aspirational and forward-looking nation.

"It will of course pay respect to the historical relationship between Britain and Pakistan. But it will focus largely on showcasing Pakistan as it is today: a dynamic, aspirational and forward looking nation," he said. He said most importantly the royal couple hopes to meet as many Pakistanis as possible during the visit particularly the youth who are shaping future of the country.

He said the duo is looking forward to building a lasting friendship with people of Pakistan. According to an official handout from the Kensington Palace, while in Pakistan, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Islamabad, Lahore, Gilgit-Baltistan and rugged border regions to the west.

The visit will span over 1,000 kilometers and will take in Pakistan's rich culture, its diverse communities, and its beautiful landscapes, the handout stated. "Access to quality education, particularly to girls and young women, is one of the UK's top priorities in Pakistan," it added. This will be the first royal tour to the country since 2006 when Prince Charles and Camilla, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, traveled to Pakistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019