LONDON:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday met with King Charles III during the reception hosted by the king for the foreign dignitaries in London, visiting to attend the state funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Extending condolences over the passing of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, the premier observed that the late monarch was a source of inspiration and strength for generations of Commonwealth citizens.
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PM Shehbaz recalled that the people of Pakistan had fond memories of the late queen’s two visits to the country. "The bond of affection between the Royal family and the Pakistani nation had only strengthened with time," he added.
Read PM arrives in London to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
On behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, the prime minister conveyed best wishes to King Charles III on his accession to the throne and expressed the hope that he would carry on the legacy of his mother in further strengthening friendship among Commonwealth nations.
He maintained that the people of Pakistan held the king in high esteem and looked forward to welcoming him to the country at the earliest opportunity.
Shehbaz also thanked the British monarch for the Royal family’s expression of sympathy and support in the wake of the unprecedented floods.
"The appeal for help and the response from both the British government and the public was deeply appreciated in Pakistan," he said.
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According to BBC, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth will take place at 11:00 BST on Monday, September 19. It will be held at Westminster Abbey in London, the historic church where Britain's kings and queens are crowned.
The ceremony is expected to draw to a close just before noon, when the Last Post - a short bugle call - will be played. A two-minute national silence will follow.
After attending the funeral, the premier will leave for the United States on the same day. In the US, PM Shehbaz will be addressing the 77th Session of UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled to be held from September 20 to 26 in New York.
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