PM interacts with King Charles, British counterpart in London

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with King Charles III and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday, as part of the two-day Commonwealth leaders’ summit being held in London.

The Pakistani prime minister congratulated the British dignitaries on the excellent arrangements made for the elaborate two-day ceremonies being held to celebrate the coronation of the new king, a statement issued by the PM Office said. He also expressed deep appreciation for the UK’s generous assistance in the wake of the disastrous floods that struck Pakistan last year.

During the meeting, Shehbaz proposed the establishment of a joint commission, headed by the leaders of the two countries, to enhance bilateral relations in various fields. King Charles III and the British prime minister also showed their interest in further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries and praised the Pakistani community-based in the UK for its role in the development of the UK.

In his address to the meeting, the Pakistani premier called upon the leaders of the Commonwealth countries to mark the accession of King Charles III as the dawn of a new era and the opening of new vistas and fresh avenues for the remarkable family of nations known as the Commonwealth.

He urged the leaders to reimagine and reinvigorate the Commonwealth and infuse it with ever greater synergy and even stronger sense of purpose.

Read more: PM in London for Charles’ coronation

Shehbaz also spoke of his government’s commitment to equipping Pakistani youth with the right kind of skill sets and opportunities. He added that his government was empowering women and mainstreaming the marginalised youth, religious and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and the transgender community.

On Saturday, Shehbaz will represent Pakistan at the coronation ceremony of King Charles III. He will also hold political consultation with his elder brother and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

During his visit, the prime minister will consult with Nawaz Sharif on the issue of elections that has brought his government at loggerheads with the Supreme Court. The prime minister will discuss the option of going for an early election with Nawaz Sharif to end the legal and political impasse, although the elder Sharif is said to be averse to early elections.

With world leaders and heads of state descending on London, as well as hundreds of thousands of expected visitors, London’s Metropolitan Police were spearheading a major security operation—dubbed “Golden Orb”. The Met said that thousands of police officers, snipers, and cameras would be used this weekend to ensure the coronation passes off without incident.

Saturday will see the largest one-day mobilisation of officers in decades, with just over 11,500 police on duty, including 2,500 specialist officers. They will line the processional route, manage crowds and road closures, protect guests, and carry out searches.