Pakistan: Prince William, Kate Middleton arrive for 5-day visit

Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton arrived in Pakistan on Monday on a five-day visit, first royal trip to country in more than a decade, and first for Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. royal couple was welcomed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his wife after ir airplane landed at Nur Khan Airbase near capital. British High Commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew was also present on occasion. five-day visit, which will end on October 18, has been organised at request of United Kingdom's (UK) Foreign and Commonwealth Office.  

Foreign Minister recounts past visits 

Foreign Minister Qureshi, while speaking to media at Nur Khan Airbase earlier, recounted past visits to Pakistan by members of British royal family. He said that Pakistanis still recognise Prince William's mor Princess Diana for her humanitarian work, especially her fund-raising efforts for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, which was built by w Prime Minister Imran Khan, Dawn reported. Qureshi said that couple will travel across country and meet various people. This is first royal tour to country since 2006 when Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, travelled to Pakistan. 

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royal couple to cover “breadth and depth" of country 

Earlier, in a video mess shared on Twitter, British High Commissioner Thomas Drew said that during visit, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will cover "breadth and depth" of country. He said royal visit, first in 13 years, would largely focus on showcasing Pakistan as a dynamic, aspirational, and forward-looking nation. royal couple will visit Islamabad, Lahore, and Chitral in rth-west Pakistan before flying back to London. High Commissioner said that couple hopes to meet as many Pakistanis as possible, particularly youth who are shaping future of country. He said that couple wanted to build a lasting friendship with people of Pakistan.

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Most complex visit 

Last week, Kensington Palace characterised  October 14-18 visit as most complex royal couple has been a part of due to security considerations in region. Sunday Telegraph reported that more than 1,000 police personnel will secure tour as couple begins visit, which follows on request of UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to strengn "extensive" links between Britain and Pakistan. Pakistani officials said that itinerary of ir five-day stay was being tightly guarded by military, with local media only being told details at last minute. During tour, royals are set to visit programs that empower young people, and organisations that help ensure y have best possible start in life.

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Access to quality education, particularly to girls and young women is seen as one of UK's top priorities in Pakistan and royals will spend time meeting young Pakistanis and hearing more about ir aspirations for future. According to local media reports, royal couple will meet Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi on October 15 and after meeting m, y will go to Lahore on October 16, arriving a day later in Chitral. 

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