Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II devoted her life to selfless public service and her dignified demeanour and calming presence was a source of strength for the people of the United Kingdom.
In a letter to his British counterpart Elizabeth Truss, the prime minister – on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan – expressed condolences over the passing of the queen.
Shehbaz paid a rich tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and said she “presided over transformational changes across the United Kingdom and the world”. He said the queen demonstrated abiding commitment to the Commonwealth and helped shape it into a “robust family of free nations we cherish so dearly today”.
The premier noted in his letter that the people of Pakistan held the queen in the highest esteem as the head of state of the United Kingdom as well as the head of the Commonwealth family.
Recalling her visits to Pakistan, the prime minister said that the bond between the people of Pakistan and the queen deepened over time.
“In this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers remain with you, the people of the United Kingdom and the royal family,” the prime minister said.
Shehbaz also visited the British High Commission in Islamabad to offer his condolences and paid homage to the queen for her leadership and public service.
The prime minister met the British High Commissioner in Pakistan Christian Turner and expressed grief over the queen’s death. He also penned his remarks in the condolatory book placed at the high commission.
Upon his arrival, the British high commissioner received the prime minister along with other officers of the high commission. Minister for information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb accompanied the prime minister.
Separately, President Dr Arif Alvi visited the British High Commission on Friday to offer his condolences over the demise of Queen Elizabeth II. He was received by High Commissioner Christian Turner upon his arrival.
While recording his remarks in the condolence book, the president wrote, “With a heavy heart on behalf of the people of Pakistan, I convey my profound condolences on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her sad passing away marks an end of an era spanning over a period of seven decades which was characterised by her majesty’s graceful service to the British people and the Commonwealth.”
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also visited the British High Commission and signed the condolence book. “I noted that her demise is a tremendous loss not only for the people of UK but for all citizens of Commonwealth family which benefited from her leadership & wisdom for 70 years,” the FM said in a Twitter post.
