Kate Middleton and Prince William’s trip to Pakistan will be the ‘most complex tour ever due to security issues’, palace says – The Sun
KATE Middleton and Prince William’s trip to Pakistan is set to be their “most complex” due to security issues.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Islamabad for four days between October 14 and 18 in what is the couple’s first visit to the country.
Their visit is the first official one to be made by the royal family since Prince Charles and Camilla visited back in 2006.
Little detail has been given past the dates for security purposes with their communications secretary giving a statement today regarding their safety.
They said: “This is the most complex tour undertaken by The Duke and Duchess to date, given the logistical and security considerations.”
The trip is intended for the couple to “pay respect to the historical relationship” between the UK and Pakistan.
The palace statement adds that it will “largely focus on showcasing Pakistan as it is today–a dynamic, aspirational and forward-looking nation.”
According to royal reporters the couple’s itinerary won’t be announced and details of their visits will be given on a day by day basis.
All that is known is that Kate and William will cover 1000km of the country taking part in various engagements to “absorb Pakistan’s rich culture.”
THE KASHMIR TENSION EXPLAINED
On August 5, India's government revoked part of the constitution that gives Kashmir a special status.
India and Pakistan have fought many conflicts over Kashmir.
Article 370 guarantees significant autonomy for the Muslim-majority state of Kashmir.
But now that it has been stripped that, which was the main justification for being a part of India – an important point for Kashmiris.
India's parliament is now expected to pass a bill splitting Indian-administered Kashmir into two territories governed directly by Delhi.
Pakistan condemned the move as illegal.
The region of Kashmir has always been a contentious issue even before India and Pakistan won their independence from Britain.
The local ruler of the region chose India because Kashmir was free to accede to either India or Pakistan.
Many people who live in the region do not want to be controlled by India – they want independence or a union with Pakistan.
The inhabitants of Kashmir are more than 60 per cent Muslim making it the the only state within India where they are in the majority.
There has been violence in the area since 1989 but fresh violence hit the area after the death of a militant leader in July 2016.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams warns that the tour could be cancelled all together if officials aren’t satisfied with security arrangements.
He said that the growing tensions in the Kashmir region could force the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to pull the plug.
He told the Express: “Clearly the situation arising from India’s recent revoking of the special status of the disputed region of Kashmir, which is administered by India, will be monitored closely by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its evaluation of how events proceed will obviously determine whether the visit goes ahead.”
He added: “There is considerable sensitivity in the sub-continent with regard to the British connection as both India and Pakistan are former British colonies.”
The couple will fly to Islamabad on October 14 and return to the UK 18 – it is unclear whether their children will be joining them.
In other royal news, we told you how Kate and Wills are getting new neighbours at Kensington Palace – and it could be Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.
And this is the touching moment Kate placed a loving hand on William in a rare display of public affection.
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