Today witnesses a historic event in the UK: the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Monarchs have been crowned in Westminster Abbey for almost a millennium, but it has been seventy years since the last Coronation when Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne. It is a day steeped in tradition but, in line with the King’s wishes. It is also an occasion to look to the future. Commonwealth countries will be at the centre of events, as equal valued partners. The King will become the ‘Defender of the Faiths’ with Aliya Azam MBE, a Muslim representative, taking part in a Christian ceremony along with Buddhist, Sikh, Jewish and Hindu religious leaders representing the modern and diverse UK. I am delighted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is attending the Coronation, and that a contingent from the Pakistan Army is taking part in the military parade amongst others from across the Commonwealth.
It is clear that King Charles’ attachment to the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 countries united around the shared values of democracy, human rights and sovereignty, will shine through the Coronation. Humbled by the unanimous decision taken in 2018 by Commonwealth leaders for him to succeed Her Late Majesty The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth, he noted that this association had been “a fundamental feature of my life for as long as I can remember”. As Prince of Wales, he had plenty of time to prepare for his new duties, and is well acquainted with each Commonwealth country, including Pakistan. Having visited this country in 2006, shortly after the devastating earthquake, King Charles has maintained an interest in this region, becoming Chair of the British Asian Trust, which delivers development programmes across South Asia, and establishing a branch of The Prince’s Trust International in Pakistan to foster young people’s entrepreneurial skills. Most recently King Charles noted with sorrow the devastation caused by the Pakistan floods last year, donating to Islamic Relief to assist the most vulnerable.
Driven by a deep sense of duty and commitment, we can expect King Charles to be highly active in promoting the shared values and work of the Commonwealth during his reign. His aspiration was made clear in his 2023 ‘Commonwealth Day’ speech: “Whether on climate change and biodiversity loss, youth opportunity and education, global health, or economic co-operation, the Commonwealth can play an indispensable role in the most pressing issues of our time. Ours is an association not just of shared values, but of common purpose and joint action.”
Is the Commonwealth relevant for Pakistan? I believe so.
Pakistan is the fifth largest ‘young country’ in the world with around 63% of the population aged between 15 and 33. The Commonwealth has a young population too: over 60%, some 1.5 billion people, of the Commonwealth’s population are under 30. Through its 2023 ‘Year of Youth’ campaign, the Commonwealth is getting more young people to engage with its ‘Youth Programme’ which aims to develop young people with practical support and networking opportunities. It also offers scholarship opportunities for the leaders of the next generation.
How have the young people of Pakistan responded? Really rather impressively, to be honest. Some 1,341 Pakistanis have undertaken a Commonwealth Scholarship. This year alone 114 students from Pakistan are studying in the UK on Commonwealth Scholarships. The Commonwealth ‘offer’ in Pakistan is continuing to expand.
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the launch of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust Pakistan Chapter in Lahore, which provides funding, practical tools and networks to assist young entrepreneurs across the areas of agriculture and food, education and employability, environment, health, and inclusion. There I met the inspirational Hassan Mujtaba Zaidi, who had been awarded a prestigious Queen’s Young Leaders Award in 2018 for his work to help educate marginalised young people. He is now continuing to assist others through the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, displaying a selfless commitment to the development of others, very much in the Commonwealth spirit.
If you choose to watch the Coronation today you will see the Commonwealth on full display – a voluntary association that is built on the desire to improve the outcomes of its 2.5 billion people. You will also see themes of duty, loyalty and commitment to others on show as King Charles promises to devote the rest of his life in service to others. That devotion to public service is something we should all applaud and strive to uphold across our shared Commonwealth of Nations.
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