ONE CANNOT WAIT

Prince William and Kate Middleton are visiting Pakistan this autumn – what do we know about the trip so far?

KATE Middleton and Prince William are set to carry out a royal tour to Pakistan in autumn 2019 - the country's first royal visit in 13 years.

We explain when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be heading off on their trip and whether or not it is safe for them to travel there. Here's what we know.

Advertisement
Kate Middleton and Prince William will carry out a high-profile visit to Pakistan this autumnCredit: PA:Press Association

When are Kate and Will going to Pakistan?

On June 29, 2019, the High Commissioner for Pakistan said the government and the people of the South Asian country welcomed the announcement of Prince William and Kate Middleton coming to visit.

Mohammad Nafees Zakaria said: "The people of Pakistan still cherish and fondly recall the visits of Her Majesty The Queen to Pakistan during 1961 and 1997.

"The upcoming royal visit is a reflection of the importance the United Kingdom attaches to its relations with Pakistan.

"The two countries enjoy historical links which both sides wish to strengthen further."

Advertisement

The tour is expected to last one week.

Even though a specific date has yet to be pencilled in, it is likely to be in the autumn months.

The late Diana, Princess of Wales, made the journey to Pakistan several times through her charity workCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Have any other royals travelled to the country in the past?

As the future heir to the throne, William will be following in the footsteps of both his parents.

Advertisement

The last time any member of the Royal Family travelled to Pakistan was when the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall travelled to the country in 2006.

At the time it was seen as one of the most perilous royal foreign tours for some time and their five-day trip was cut short.

Prince Charles and Camilla travelled to Pakistan a year after a earthquake hit Kashmir - killing more than 87,000 people and injuring a further 75,000.

They met with survivors of the earthquake and some of the 2.8million people who were displaced because of it.

Advertisement

The Duke of Cornwall and Camilla had to cancel their planned visit of Peshawar on the third day of their trip because of the security alert that Pakistani forces attacked an Islamic school in the area.

In 1991, Princess Diana went to Pakistan by herself for three days where she visited Islamabad, Lahore and the Northwest Frontier.

The People's Princess returned to Pakistan in 1996 where she raised money to help build the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and a year later she went to see it officially open.

The last time the Queen visited the South Asian country was in 1961 and 1997.

Advertisement

In 1997 Her Majesty ignited controversy when she called on Pakistan and India to settle their differences, in an address to parliament in Islamabad.

Princess Diana visits Pakistan on a fundraising trip in 1996

Is it safe to travel there?

The Foreign Office states on its website that "terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in Pakistan".

It notes that: "Foreigners, in particular westerners, may be directly targeted".

Pakistan is also in a "major earthquake zone".

Advertisement

There have been a number of attacks, including a bombing outside a shrine in central Lahore.

More on the Royal Family

Born racer
Archie Hamilton: The racer and YouTuber who films viral videos with the police
PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
Action ON NOW as Luke Littler takes on Rob Cross TONIGHT
Bagging bargins
Ledor Metolli: Meet the TikTok car reviewer known as Ledorscars
WEDDING MABELLS
Inside Mabel’s top secret engagement party at star-studded bash in Mayfair

There was also an attack by armed militants on the Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar, Balochistan.

Pakistan shares borders with Iran, Afghanistan, India and China - two of the world's nuclear powers.

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to a number of areas in Pakistan including the city of Peshawar, the federally administered tribal areas, and the Karakoram Highway between Islamabad and Gilgit.

Advertisement

The country's place on the world stage shifted after the September 11 attacks when it dropped its support for the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and was propelled into the frontline in the fight against terrorism, becoming a key ally of Washington.

However, Pakistan is also where former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was discovered holed up in his compound in Abbottabad, and killed in 2011.

The country denied knowing that bin Laden, the mastermind behind the atrocity which claimed the lives of almost 3,000 people in 2001, was in hiding there.

Topics
Advertisement
machibet777.com