Islamabad, 8 June 2022 (TDI): The British High Commission hosted the Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Islamabad.
The ceremony was the first in a week-long celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, which will also include birthday celebrations in Karachi and Lahore. The celebrations will conclude with a performance by Qawwali artist Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
The event in Islamabad was hosted by British High Commissioner Dr. Christian Turner. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif also attended the event.
In addition, other top politicians, international dignitaries, and celebrities were also in attendance. Guests were reminded of Her Majesty’s life of service during the High Commissioner’s remarks.
Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee and her 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms, and the Commonwealth have been commemorated in events around the world.
Moreover, this year marks the 75th anniversary of Pakistan and the United Kingdom’s bilateral relationship.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the British High Commission, lit a beacon to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee on the weekend of June 4-5, at the same time as it was done in other Commonwealth capitals.
On Wednesday, the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad was lit up in purple, the color of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
75th anniversary of Pakistan-UK bilateral relationship
Furthermore, the ceremony also highlighted Pakistan and the United Kingdom’s 75-year friendship. This friendship centers on the people-to-people ties, with a 1.6 million Pakistani diaspora in the United Kingdom. There are around 500,000 yearly visits in both directions, and over 100,000 British nationals reside in Pakistan.
In May, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson spoke on the phone with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, praising the United Kingdom and Pakistan’s 75-year alliance. The two leaders decided to further develop their connections and increase commerce and investment.
Dr. Christian Turner CMG, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan said: “Her Majesty The Queen’s 70 years of servant leadership show a remarkable record of integrity, hard work and selflessness that are needed more than ever today. We are honoured to celebrate her Birthday, her Platinum Jubilee and also 75 years of deep UK-Pakistan relations.”
