Ishaq Dar offers condolences to Norway over King Harald V’s death

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has expressed Pakistan’s condolences to Norway following the death of King Harald V.

Dar conveyed his condolences during a telephone conversation with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office.

The foreign minister extended sympathies to the Norwegian Royal Family and people on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal, himself and the people of Pakistan.

Dar also informed his Norwegian counterpart that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had nominated Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan to represent Pakistan at the funeral procession in Oslo on September 9.

The two foreign ministers agreed to remain in close contact. They also expressed their intention to meet on the sidelines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session.

Later, Dar held a telephone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.

The two officials reviewed Pakistan-Egypt bilateral relations and exchanged views on important regional and international developments.

They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening relations between the two countries. They also agreed to remain closely engaged on regional security issues.

Abdelatty invited Dar to visit Egypt for bilateral talks at a mutually convenient time.

The two foreign ministers also agreed to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

King Harald V of Norway died on August 28 at the age of 89, according to the Norwegian Royal Palace.

The palace said the monarch died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35am local time after being hospitalised earlier in August with a bacterial infection in his bloodstream.

Harald, who became Norway’s ceremonial head of state in 1991, had faced several health problems in recent years.

In 2024, he was hospitalised with an infection while visiting Malaysia and received a temporary pacemaker. He was subsequently flown back to Norway and later received a permanent pacemaker.

Despite his health difficulties, Harald continued serving as king and remained committed to his constitutional role. In 2024, he announced that he would reduce his official engagements but ruled out stepping down from the throne.