LONDON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday arrived in London to attend the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and a meeting of the heads of state of Commonwealth nations.
He was received by a representative of the British foreign ministry and Pakistan’s High Commissioner in London Moazzam Ahmad Khan and David Gordon-MacLeod, a special representative of the British foreign secretary.
King Charles III will be hosting the meeting of the heads of states. Bilateral meetings of the prime ministers of Commonwealth nations on the sidelines are also expected.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif being received by Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK Mr Moazzam Ahmad Khan & Special Representative of the British Foreign Secretary Mr. David Gordon-MacLeod at the airport in London on 3rd May 2023 pic.twitter.com/ESDgHVs7pH
The premier’s visit, that includes his expected meeting with former prime minister and elder brother Nawaz Sharif, carries much political significance as the country is passing through a political deadlock over elections.
The PM will also call on Nawaz Sharif who has been staying in the UK for the last couple of years on “medical grounds”.
Sources in the Prime Minister’s House said PM Shehbaz would discuss the economic and political situation of the country besides party matters with his brother. They said the premier would apprise Nawaz Sharif of the ongoing talks with the PTI and future plans. Sources further said the two PML-N bigwigs might take some important decisions on the election controversy going on between the judiciary and the parliament.
King Charles will be crowned at Westminster Abbey in a pompous, self-styled, and the only of its kind ceremony on May 6 after he became monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 other realms (Commonwealth states) on the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth in September.
The ceremony will be attended by 2200 guests including other foreign royals, officials and heads of states, with U.S. first lady Jill Biden representing the United States and China’s Vice President Han Zheng expected to attend on behalf of Beijing.
