British royal couple signals support for girls' education in Pakistan
The visit has been organised at the United Kingdom's (UK) Foreign and Commonwealth Office's request
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, on Tuesday morning signalled their support for women’s education in Pakistan by making a girls school the first stop on their inaugural tour.
The couple both wore blue for the visit to the school in the capital Islamabad, with the Duchess of Cambridge draping a long scarf, or dupatta, over the shoulder of her royal blue shalwar kameez – a traditional Pakistani long shirt with trousers.
The Duke, however, opted for a Western outfit, looking relaxed in a light button-down shirt with no tie.
They dropped in on a mathematics class where televised images showed them sitting with some of the young students, whose blue uniforms matched the Duchess’s dress.
Education official Khadija Bakhtiar told AFP that the couple helped some of the students solve problems.
"Both wanted to engage in a natural way... so it was a very nice" visit, she said.
William and Kate spent roughly half an hour at the government-run school, which has an estimated 1,000 students from first to 12th grade, before they were waved off by smiling students.
After their visit to the school, they arrived at Trail 5, Margalla to attend an event regarding environmental protection. Strict security arrangements were made prior to their arrival.
Later today, the royal couple will meet Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Prime Minister House and President Arif Alvi at Aiwan-e-Sadr. After the meeting with the premier, they will attend a lunch hosted by PM Khan.
Following their meeting with Khan and Alvi, the royal couple will pay a visit to Chitral on Oct 16 and Pakistan’s second-largest city Lahore – once the capital of the Mughal Empire – on Oct 17.
In Lahore, they have been scheduled to visit SOS Children’s Villages of Pakistan, Aitchison College and the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre. However, considering certain security issues, their visit to the historic Badshahi Mosque and Minar-e-Pakistan is not final.
In Chitral, Prince William and Kate Middleton will meet dwellers and visit famous spots of tourism. Later, they will visit Dera Khyber and Fort in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
On Oct 18, the royal couple will visit the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad and at about 1.30pm will depart for Britain from the Nur Khan Airbase.
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Yesterday, the British royal couple arrived in Pakistan on a five-day tour as they are "looking forward to building a lasting friendship with the people of Pakistan."
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, British High Commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew and other high level officials accorded a warm welcome to Prince William and Kate Middleton upon their arrival.
Two children clad in traditional dress presented bouquet of flowers to the distinguished guests. The guests thanked them and talked to them for a while.
William and Kate disembarked from the Royal Air Force plane onto a red carpet that had been rolled out for them.
A team of more than 40 doctors, paramedics and medical staff has been included alongside the security squad of the royal couple. More than 40 journalists also arrived with Prince William and Kate Middleton.
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The five-day visit, which will end on October 18, has been organised at the request of the United Kingdom’s (UK) Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
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 vividly remembers the late Princess Diana’s visit in 1996.
"The UK’s links with Pakistan are extensive, and Their Royal Highnesses are looking forward to building a lasting friendship with the people of Pakistan," read a statement by the royal couple’s spokesperson on Oct 4.
During the course of their visit, Prince William and Kate "will pay respect to the historical relationship between Britain and Pakistan" but the larger focus 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 official residence of the Duke and Duchess, said that the tour will encompass "the modern leafy capital Islamabad, the vibrant city of Lahore, the mountainous countryside in the North, and the rugged border regions to the West".
"The visit will span over 1,000km, and will take in Pakistan’s rich culture, its diverse communities, and it’s beautiful landscapes," it added.
They will also interact with organisations “which empower young people and ensure they have the best possible start in life".
"Access to quality education, particularly to girls and young women is one of the UK’s top priorities in Pakistan," mentioned the statement.
Moreover, they are expected to meet with "a wide variety of people, including children and young people, leaders from government, business and the charity sector, inspiring conservationists, and well-known cultural figures and sporting stars."
A particular attention will be paid to climate change issues affecting Pakistan and the positive work being undertaken to combat these challenges.
The official statement also said that throughout the tour the couple would visit programmes which empower young people and see how communities in Pakistan are responding and adapting to the effects of climate change.
They will also "spend time understanding the complex security picture in Pakistan". Furthermore, meetings will be held with UK and Pakistan military personnel "who are sharing expertise to improve security".
“They will learn more about the challenges and opportunities, both of the past and today. The UK has been a key partner for Pakistan, and the Duke and Duchess will meet UK and Pakistan military personnel who are sharing expertise to improve security.”
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Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan welcomed the British Royal Couple over arrival in Pakistan saying visit of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton to Pakistan is reflection of peaceful and safe Pakistan.
In a tweet, she said visit of the Royal Couple would further stable and strengthen the longstanding historical relations between Pakistan and United Kingdom.
With input from AFP
