UK’s Pakistan Network celebrates Coronation

Events themed around ‘Year of Youth’ campaign

The UK’s Pakistan Network, supported by the British Council and the GREAT campaign, marked the Coronation of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla in style with a series of events this weekend.

On Saturday, the British High Commission in Islamabad hosted a black-tie ball, whilst the Deputy High Commission in Karachi held a traditional garden party. To reflect King Charles’s passion for youth development, both events were themed around the Commonwealth’s ‘Year of Youth’ campaign and aimed to shine a spotlight on the many opportunities on offer to young Pakistanis via the ‘Commonwealth Youth Programme’.

Acting British High Commissioner, Andrew Dalgleish, noted in his speech that: “Over 60% of the Commonwealth’s population are under 30, some 1.5 billion people. In Pakistan around 63% of the population is between 15 and 33 years of age. For future stability and sustainable growth, we need to ensure that these young people are properly engaged with decision-making processes that will affect their futures, and are equipped with the skills and the opportunities to make a difference.”

Commonwealth Athletes, Commonwealth Correspondents, Commonwealth Youth Council Members, individuals from the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust Pakistan Chapter and young entrepreneurs from the Prince’s Trust, amongst others, attended the events.

The weekend also saw members of staff from the British High Commission and British Council in Islamabad as well as the Deputy High Commission in Karachi, take part in the ‘Big Help Out’. A UK initiative designed to mark the Coronation by encouraging people to get together and volunteer to bring benefit to their local communities.

In Islamabad, UK staff, supported by Chevening Alumni and members of the City Development Authority, volunteered to beautify a section of the Rose and Jasmin Garden, now named ‘Commonwealth Corner’, by installing two new park benches and planting 56 trees – one for each Commonwealth Nation.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2023.